|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
The Iraqi Paralympic Swimming Federation announced that swimmer Muhammad Alaa Ashour withdrew from the final race of the World Paralympic Swimming Championship qualifiers held in Germany, in refusal to have an Israeli swimmer participate in the race.
The Iraqi Swimming Federation said in a statement the day before yesterday, Sunday, via its Facebook account, that “swimmer Muhammad Alaa Ashour’s decision came to confirm his position in support of the Palestinian cause and his complete refusal to recognize Israel.”
The Federation conveyed Ashour’s pride in making the decision, saying: “The dignity of the nation is more important than any medal or honor. My decision was clear and frank. I will not compete with any athlete who represents the entity that violates the rights of the Palestinians.”
The federation said that Ashour is considered one of the most prominent Paralympic athletes in swimming and has previously achieved many titles and medals at the continental and international levels.
The Federation added: “Ashour’s position today adds a new achievement to him, not in the record of medals, but in the record of humanitarian and patriotic positions.”
