The fact that our female athletes enter sports arenas with hijab [Islamic modest dressing] is very important. I do not know whether those who evaluate the events of our country have an accurate understanding of this issue or not; this is an extraordinary issue.
In a certain European country, some people dare murder a woman because she is wearing hijab. And they do it in a court of law and in front of the judge. This is the case. They have no shame. Under a certain illegitimate law, they harass women who wear hijab in universities, stadiums, parks and on the streets. Despite such conditions, Iranian women who wear hijab stand on the medal platform in those countries and make everyone respect them. Is this a minor achievement? This is a very significant achievement. Everybody should appreciate from the bottom of their heart the value of female athletes who participate in international arenas while observing hijab and modesty.
We should appreciate the value of disabled athletes, too. What they do is astonishing. When people look at these athletes, they see that not only does their disability not prevent them from living a normal life, but they are also so unwavering that they become athletes and stand on the medal platform.
This shows the determination of a nation. This shows the dignity and identity of a nation. When I express my gratitude to you after you achieve a victory, there is an honest and genuine feeling behind this gratitude. I really feel that you are rendering services to your country and your people by winning competitions. You convey messages that cannot be conveyed by any other means. You convey the message of determination, resistance, and faith. When our athletes achieve a victory in such arenas and when they are ranked first, they chant the slogan of "Ya Hussain", prostrate themselves and hold up their hands and thank God. Do you know how excited the Islamic Ummah and Muslim nations become when you do so? In sports arenas, our outstanding youths give such prominence to spirituality in a world in which there is an effort to make young individuals decadent and turn their backs on spirituality. What our athletes do is very effective and important.
What I want to say is that you should appreciate your value. Very great achievements are made in sports arenas. Fortunately, Islamic Iran has made astonishing progress in this area since the victory of the Islamic Revolution until today. Today, you are ahead of others in many areas.
