Statements in Meeting with Olympic and Paralympic Medalists

In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

I am very pleased to meet you dear ones - champions, heroes, pride-bringers - who, thanks be to God, have been able to conquer peaks with your effort, will, and resolute determination. Just like the peaks of mountains that climbers conquer with great effort and hard work, the peaks of spiritual and national honors, when achieved by the youth, are truly very valuable; and you have accomplished this.

There are two important influences and factors in champions that must be considered: one is personal, and the other is public and social. In the personal aspect, the youth who achieve championship demonstrate and prove that they possess outstanding characteristics; for example, they have strong willpower. If an athlete does not have strong will and resolute determination, they certainly will not reach the level of championship; without will, they may not even engage in sports. Despite all that is said about sports - regular exercise, morning workouts - some are not willing to dedicate even ten minutes or a quarter of an hour to this activity; this is a lack of will. Now, when a young person engages in sports and endures the physical hardships of exercise with enthusiasm and eagerness to develop their physical talents, they demonstrate this resolute determination; this is a personal characteristic.

Another point is intelligence. No champion can reach championship without possessing superior intelligence. All sports are like this. It is not merely about having strength and doing things by force; no, strength alone is not enough; alertness is necessary. Whether in team sports, individual sports, wrestling, weightlifting, mountaineering, or martial arts, unless a person and that fighter and athlete are alert, have an active, searching, and sharp mind, it is impossible to reach higher levels. Therefore, when we look at a champion, we see them as a manifestation of intelligence, effort and will, physical abilities, and many other characteristics. Naturally, a sports champion has a lot of self-confidence; it is generally the case that they do not need to engage in actions that weak individuals do; they do not need flattery, do not need to lie, do not need cheating and duplicity. Of course, we do not say that all athletes lack these qualities and are free from them; no, humans make mistakes; but the nature of heroism is that it can be alien to such moral characteristics and vices. Thus, this is the personal aspect of champions.

The public and social aspect of a champion is that since they are considered a manifestation of the capabilities of a nation in a specific field, they instill national confidence; that is, they give self-confidence to the entire nation; this is very important. On the other hand, a champion encourages the members of society to move in this direction. In fact, champion sports serve as the engine for the movement of public sports, and it can be done in such a way that public sports become prevalent. Public sports are one of the necessities of life; they are like eating food, like breathing; attention must be paid to them. This is another aspect of the social impacts of sports.

Another issue is that champion sports, today, with international competitions being prevalent, are a manifestation of the aspirations, talents, and identity of a nation; and this is very important. That you appear in sports arenas with human ethics and chivalry - and fortunately, you do - from the perspective of international viewers, who today number in the millions and in some cases billions, conveys a truth from within your country, a truth that could not be promoted in any other language. A champion advertises with their chivalry, with their piety. The issue of our female athletes who compete while wearing hijab is very important. I do not know if those who are evaluating the events in the country have a correct assessment of this matter or not. This is extraordinary. In one of the European countries, a woman is stabbed and killed for being hijab-wearing; even in court and in front of the judge! This is how it is. They are not ashamed; in universities, in sports arenas, in parks, in the streets, they assault hijab-wearing women under the pretext of a law - a law they fabricated. Then, in this atmosphere, in these countries, a hijab-wearing woman stands on the champion's podium and compels everyone to honor and celebrate her. Is this not significant? Is this not a small matter? This is a very magnificent act. Truly, everyone should sincerely thank our female athletes who present themselves in the arenas with hijab, chastity, dignity, and grace. Likewise, the sports of the disabled and the handicapped are truly astonishing. When people look, they see that this young person with a physical disability has not only not been deterred from ordinary life by this physical disability, but they have had such determination and willpower that they have been able to become an athlete and reach the point in sports where they stand on the champion's podium. This demonstrates the determination and will of a nation; this demonstrates the identity and individuality of a nation. When I thank you for achieving a victory, the basis of this gratitude is a sincere and genuine feeling that exists within me; I feel that you are truly serving your country, your nation, your people with this work. You convey messages that cannot be delivered by any other means: the message of determination and will, the message of standing firm, the message of faith. Our athlete, after winning in such a field and standing first in the world, shouts "Ya Hussein"; or falls to the ground in prostration, or raises their hands in gratitude to God. Do you know what excitement this creates among the Islamic community and Muslim nations? In a world that tries to lead everyone, especially the youth, towards disbelief, carelessness, and turning away from spirituality, one of our distinguished youths - not an ordinary youth - in the field of sports shows their inclination towards spirituality in this way. These are very impactful and important actions.

I want to say, appreciate yourselves. Great things are being accomplished in the fields of championship. Fortunately, the Islamic Iran has made remarkable progress in this direction since the revolution. Today, you are ahead in many fields. There is a time when you wrestle and defeat your opponents from powerful countries in wrestling and stand on the champion's podium; well, this is a very prominent thing, very important; but when you account for the totality of the work, it is the same. Suppose in a world competition - just like what has happened - you participate with 54 athletes and bring home 12 medals; the United States participates with 530 athletes and brings home 110 medals. If the United States wants to win as many medals as you, they must win 120 medals. The United States participates ten times more than you, and they must win ten times more medals; they must win 120 medals, but they do not win 120 medals; that is, they are lower than you. This means that if you participate in various fields with this capacity and talent, you are ahead of all of them. These are valuable works. These are truths that demonstrate our potentials.

Now, today the discussion is about sports, but it is not just about sports; fortunately, the same is true in the field of science. In the fields of research and deepening understanding of issues, whether in economics, politics, management, or international issues, wherever work is entrusted to Iranian talents, we observe signs of progress there. This is our talent, this is our country. Our history is also due to this, which has such elevation and peak. Ibn Sina, Farabi, Muhammad ibn Zakariya al-Razi, Saadi, Hafez, and others do not emerge in a low-level society; this indicates the existence of concentrated talents in this region of the world. Well, these talents were dormant due to the dominance of oppressive and tyrannical powers, separate from the people and lacking in moral, human, and scientific virtues. Today, fortunately, the revolution has made it so that these talents are emerging everywhere, especially in the field of sports.

Well, these are your virtues, dear ones, that I said you are the peaks. You yourselves are considered peaks, and the work you do is, in fact, a movement towards the peaks and moving the collective towards the peaks; these are very valuable. We have said that you are ambassadors of Iran and the identity and individuality of Iranians; preserve these characteristics. That you introduce your nation as a determined nation, with resolute will, with faith, committed to the Sharia, possessing talent, and having individuality is very valuable; this must be maintained; do not let it be tarnished.

The youth of the country look up to you. You promote sports in practice; I say promote sports in language as well. That is, in public discussions, social discourse, media, interviews, television, and the like, encourage the youth of the country; present your experiences in sports so that the youth become enthusiastic. We need all segments of the country to engage in sports; this is truly a necessity for the country. A healthy human resource is of utmost importance for the country; because the progress of a country is with human resources. Natural resources and underground talents and wealth are very good things; but if there are no human resources, if there is no talent in that country, it will become what you observe today in some countries with these natural resources; others come and use them and lead them more towards idleness. Human talent must be nurtured so that natural talents can truly serve society. Thus, human resources become the most important factor.

Human resources must be knowledgeable, determined, religious, and healthy. Physical health is the main condition. The people's inclination towards sports solves many social and moral problems and dilemmas; such as addiction, family disputes, internal issues, business problems, nerves, and so on. If sports become genuinely prevalent in the country - which, of course, is better than in the past, but we still need this meaning - many problems will be solved. You can be effective in this area; that is, be promoters of ethics and Iranian traditions.

The fact that some of our youth did not compete against the Zionist side in the competition is very valuable; this is why it has greatly angered the global arrogant powers. Whenever this issue has occurred, they have shown strong reactions. The work of our youth is very important. In fact, a very sensitive and important diplomatic effort against the Zionist regime is this action. This was a very valuable work that they accomplished.

One issue that I emphasize is the issue of ethics in sports. Friends have mentioned, and I am aware and agree. Fortunately, our sports community is a healthy community in terms of ethics; but in this matter, a lot of emphasis must be placed. There are pitfalls. Our young athlete, when they are on the waves of global attention and public opinion, is at moral risk. We must keep ourselves away from this moral danger. You who are athletes, first and foremost, and then the sports officials and those in various managements who care about these matters and are connected to them, must pay attention to the issue of ethics in sports. The issue of ethics in sports is very important. Not becoming arrogant, remaining humble, being chivalrous, being with the people, caring for the people is very important. The emergence of these characteristics in a person is one issue; the maintenance of these characteristics in a person is a more difficult issue; these must be preserved.

In my opinion, some people spoil the atmosphere of sports; with destruction, with slander, with lies, by instigating disputes between sports groups. Unfortunately, the share of sports media in this wrongdoing is not small. Here, I must remind and warn. Sports media find a small issue against someone, a sports movement, a team, a federation, an athlete, and use it as a means; they incite one against the other; they create disputes, extracting interviews from individuals. The interviewee, the more harshly they speak, the more they slander, the more disgraceful their speech, the happier the media is! This is a bad act. These media should move in the exact opposite direction; they should act differently.

Another point that I have mentioned many times - this pertains to sports officials - is that priorities should be considered in the sports fields. There are some sports fields in which we have both a history, capacity, and experience - that is, we have various capabilities - these fields are championship-producing. In the past years, I mentioned some sports. Well, in a certain sport, we have no rank in the world, we have no chance; that is, the prospect of achieving a rank is not there - which has its reasons - but in some sports, we have ranks in the world. Today, you stand on the champion's podium in the world - for example, in wrestling, or in weightlifting, or in some other sports - this is very important. A few years ago - I do not remember what year it was - when these sports friends came here and met, for example, I mentioned "Chogan". Well, Chogan is our Iranian sport; it belongs to us; it is a good sport, a fun sport as well. The talent for this sport exists in Iran; if it did not exist, it would not have emerged. Throughout history, the sport of Chogan has been well-known in Iran. Or, for example, some ancient sports, which later had some efforts and endeavors made. These are sweet works, beautiful works that are being done. In any case, look at the priorities and focus more on the sports that are rooted; especially those that have capacity and talent; especially those that have domestic coaches.

One of the brothers said that foreign coaches should be used; I have no objection. It should not be assumed that I oppose using a good, useful foreign coach; but when you use a domestic coach for football, basketball, volleyball, wrestling, or any other sport, I feel happy and proud. It is very good that the coach of our children and youth is one of our own; has been trained here, has been nurtured here. Of course, some foreign coaches are good, some are not; they demand a lot of money, have high expectations, and sometimes do not deliver; there are such cases as well. Therefore, if at some point foreign coaches are discussed, my point is regarding this.

Friends have talked about scientific approaches to sports; this is completely correct; this is part of my discourse, I have said it many times. In sports fields - those that have scientific rules - they should delve into scientific depth; they should conduct research-enhancing work. Something that, suppose today the world has discovered in a certain sport and is working on it, that is not the final word - like many other scientific works - professional discussions can be based on them and can elevate them, or even nullify them. Well, this work should be done in Iran. We are making progress in difficult scientific fields, and it has been through these young people. We have accomplished things that our enemies never imagined an Iranian could achieve. Well, this should also be done.

The fuel for the Tehran research reactor was running out, and we were told to come and give your 3.5% uranium to such and such country to convert it to 20%; then they would give it to such and such country, which would convert it to fuel; then, with the permission of the world gentlemen, this fuel would come in! That is, it had to pass through several hurdles, which certainly would not have happened. If we wanted to buy nuclear fuel for these research reactors we have here, they would not have given us even a particle of it, to humiliate and degrade the Iranian nation. At one time, I said if the oil we have today belonged to the Europeans and we were to buy oil or gasoline from them, they would sell it to us at exorbitant prices, bottle by bottle. This is how they are. Well, they thought that we would be forced to buy 20% fuel and would yield; hence they created these obstacles. But our youth came and conducted research and produced 20% fuel themselves. Then they thought we could not produce fuel plates and fuel rods; but our youth produced them and installed them. Now they are left facing the accomplished fact of the Iranian nation!

Such complex and significant works are being done; in the field of sports, what is wrong with doing great works? The rules that exist today regarding sports in the world; whether in individual sports like wrestling and weightlifting, or in team sports, should be scientifically examined, added to, and some aspects of them should be corrected.

Advance sports scientifically. This applies to those sports that have established sports and scientific rules in the world. Some of our sports also do not have scientific rules; we must establish scientific rules for them - which can be done - like these ancient sports that have been mentioned. Some of these ancient sports are very beautiful sports; like this "mil-giri" (a traditional Iranian sport), which the people of Mashhad call "Gavargeh"; this is a very sweet and beautiful sport. Well, what is wrong with establishing rules for this and including it among public sports? Or, for example, the sport of "Charkh" (a traditional Iranian sport). Or similar sports that exist in our ancient sports.

In any case, I hope that God Almighty, God willing, grants you all success. I sincerely thank all of you and those dear ones for the actions you have taken in the fields of competition - such as calling the adhan (the Islamic call to prayer) on the towering peaks, or prostrating in the competition field, or raising hands in prayer, or mentioning the names of the Imams, or maintaining religious chastity. May God, God willing, grant you success. You are the light of the eyes of the Iranian nation, and God willing, you will remain so.

Peace be upon you and God's mercy and blessings.