UWW Statement on 2017 FS World Cup

In the wake of US President, Donald Trump’s recent executive order on visa ban for seven Muslim countries, including Iran and Iran’s reciprocal act, United World Wrestling released a statement.

The full text of the statement is as follows:

'While we have no insight into the political differences between the United States and Iran, the cooperation between their federations has become the gold standard for our sport. Wrestlers from these nations have always displayed the highest levels of sportsmanship and their heartfelt interactions captured in photos have become synonymous with wrestling and ability to transcend politics.

Both national federations have expressed their interest to see the United States compete at the Freestyle World Cup. We feel privileged to know that wrestling so often encourages this type of international cooperation and are hopeful that the Iranian Foreign Ministry will be able to confirm the participation of the United States at the World Cup.

“As it was during the worldwide effort to see wrestling reinstated on the Olympic program, our sport’s strength comes directly from the passion and dedication of our athletes and fans,” said United World Wrestling President, Nenad Lalovic. “We thank them for their ongoing support of the United World Wrestling and our national federations.”

The US President, Donald Trump has recently signed an order based on which US borders will be closed for 4 months on refugees. Visa issuance has also been banned for 7 Muslim countries, including Iran, Iraq, Sudan, Libya, Syria, Somalia and Yemen for 3 months.

The US decision has widely been criticized by human rights bodies, indicating that Trump has targeted Muslims for their beliefs.

To ensure respect for the dignity of all members of the great Iranian nation at home and abroad, the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran will engage in a careful assessment of the short- and medium-term impact of the decision of the US Government on Iranian nationals, and will take proportionate legal, consular and political action and while respecting the American people and differentiating between them and the hostile policies of the US Government will take reciprocal measures in order to safeguard the rights of its citizens until the time of the removal of the insulting restrictions of the Government of the United States against Iranian nationals,' said the statement of Iran’s foreign ministry.

The 45th round of the 2017 Freestyle World Cup is scheduled to be held with the attendance of eight top world teams in Kermanshah Province on February 16-17.

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