Leader hails para-athletes as 'symbol of realizing potentials'

Making the remarks in a Wednesday meeting with para-athletes who gained medals in the 2018 Asian Para Games, the leader added, “all of us, in all ages, and especially the youth, should learn from you.”

He went on to say that para-swimmer Shahin Izadyar’s six gold medals in the event are a clear manifestation of one’s inner capabilities and their fulfillment.

“All humans have some talents which are sometimes ignored. You have won medals, and have become champions; so you are manifestations of activating capacities.”

Ayatollah Khamenei stressed that everyone regardless of their age should follow the disabled athletes for they are epitomes of determination and willpower, he held, adding, “You shined at this field despite physical challenges. That is why I say achievements by you the disabled war veterans and differently-abled athletes are worth twice as the championship of those without physical problems. Your championship represents firm, manifold determination.”

“You are doubly influential in inspiring the people to do sports. The motivation you arouse in them is two-fold,” the leader stressed.

Ayatollah Khamenei appreciated the display of cultural power by a female athlete who bore the flag of Iran’s sports caravan to the Asian Para Games while dressing in Iranian chador, saying, “Your self-confidence in fortifying your cultural heritage was extremely important.

One example of it was that the Iranian flag was held by a lady in chador. This signifies that you are uniquely standing against the world’s increased lewdness and indecency. Indeed, by doing so, you fortified your religion, your national values and notions and your national clothing—that is chador—in an international arena.

This requires courage and bravery; many of the people are not strong enough to resist in face of non-stop demands thrust upon the world by the front of Paganism. I am cordially grateful to you, ladies; this was a display of cultural power.”

The Leader went on to uphold athletes’ manifestations of their gratitude towards God for their achievements and said, “after victory, you thank God and sometimes you prostrate before him. This signifies that you consider your victory coming from God. By thanking Him, you indicate you are not ignorant. This is an important level of gratitude before God and it leads to more achievements for you.”

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