Miresmaeli, carrying Iran's flag during the opening ceremonies of the Olympic Games

ATHENS, August 14 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) – In solidarity with the daily sufferings of the Palestinian people at the hands of Israeli occupation forces, Iranian world judo champion, Arash Miresmaili, refused to compete against an Israeli player, pulling out of the Olympics and snubbing an almost certain to win gold medal.

"Although I have trained for months and was in good shape I refused to fight my Israeli opponent to sympathize with the suffering of the people of Palestine and I do not feel upset at all," Miresmaili told the IRNA news agency Saturday, August 14.

Miresmaili, who carried his country's flag in the Olympic Games opening ceremony Friday, opted not to take on first round opponent Ehud Vaks of Israel as a gesture of support for Palestine, said Agence France-Presse (AFP).

He was highly praised by the Iranian Students news agency ISNA that quoted Iran's sports officials as saying, Miresmaili still deserved the one billion rial (115,000-dollar) prize the Iranian Olympic medal winners were promised by the Physical Education organization.

"Miresmaili must receive a special prize as he was the prime candidate for a gold medal and I will do my best about it," said head of the Iranian Judo Federation, Mohammad Derakhshan.

The 23-year-old, twice a winner of the flyweight (under 66kg) world title, would have been the overwhelming favorite for the gold medal in the Olympics.

Under international regulations, he may even be sent home.

An official from the Asian Judo Union confirmed Miresmaili would be withdrawn from the competition.

A Long-Standing Practice

The incident is not the first time for Iranian judokas to decline to fight against Israeli opponents.

At the 2001 world championships, Mahed Malekmohammdi refused to face Yoel Razvozov while Asian champion Masoud Haji Akhoundzade also pulled out of a planned clash with Israeli lightweight Zvi Shafran, AFP said.

At the 2003 world table tennis championships in Paris, Israel lodged an official protest after Yemeni and Saudi players refused to play against one of its team members.

Yemeni player Hani Al-Hammadi had been due to face Israel's Gay Elensky but turned and left when he saw his opponent was Israeli.

One day later, Elensky was due to meet Saudi player Nabeel Al-Magahwi - but the Saudi player refused to come to the table.

Al-Magahwi was banned for a year for his action and became a national hero in his homeland.

"What I did in Paris was the right thing and I feel proud of it," he said.

"It is natural for an Arab or a Muslim not to want to face an Israeli, because of our protest against the Israeli aggression in Palestine."

Palestine would participate in the prestigious event by Palestinian athletes who are ready to compete, wishing to do the lap of honor and make their flag fluttering high.

Greek Solidarity

Sakorafa wanted compete under the Palestinian flag

Not only Arabs or Muslims show their solidarity with the tragedy of the Palestinian people though.

A former Greek Olympian, 47-year-old female javelin thrower Sofia Sakorafa, had wished to also compete under the Palestinian flag.

However, Sofia, who received honorary Palestinian citizenship last May, failed in her bid to qualify for the Athens Olympics.

In spite of failing to participate, she can still participate in the August Games under the Palestinian flag as part of a special arrangement, AFP said.

Sofia has been a political activist since her sporting days, and said she seeks competing for the Palestinian team as a symbolic move for peace.