The International Olympic Committee has described reports confirming the execution of Iranian wrestler Navid Afkari as "deeply upsetting" amid mounting calls for sporting sanctions.
Iranian state media said today that Afkari, a national champion who was sentenced to death over the murder of a security guard during 2018 anti-government protests, had been executed.
Afkari's death comes despite the attempted intervention of the IOC and the sport’s world governing body, United World Wrestling, with IOC president Thomas Bach having said on Wednesday that he was trying to "facilitate a solution".
In a statement the IOC said: "The execution of wrestler Navid Afkari in Iran is very sad news. The IOC is shocked by this announcement today.
"In letters, Thomas Bach, the IOC president, had made direct personal appeals to the Supreme Leader and to the President of Iran this week and asked for mercy for Navid Afkari, while respecting the sovereignty of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
"It is deeply upsetting that the pleas of athletes from around the world and all the behind-the-scenes work of the IOC, together with the NOC of Iran, United World Wrestling and the National Iranian Wrestling Federation, did not achieve our goal.
"Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Navid Afkari."
On Friday, the Olympic Federation of Ireland Athletes' Commission added their voice to the call for clemency for Afkari.
Chair Shane O’Connor said: "It is important that as athletes we stand together in support of each other during times of need.
"Navid Afkari was sentenced to death for allegedly killing a security man in Shiraz, Fars Province, at the time of the summer 2018 protests in the province – it seems clear there is evidence supporting the fact he did not commit the crime and that he was tortured during interrogation into giving a 'false confession’."
Last week Brendan Schwab, the executive director of the World Players Association, had insisted that, in executing Afkari, Iran would be "forfeiting its right to be a part of sport’s universal community".
Schwab tweeted on Saturday: "@WorldPlayersUtd are aware of credible & heartbreaking reports that #NavidAfkari was executed despite the work of so many courageous champions of human rights in sport. We are seeking formal confirmation. If true, we are determined to ensure Navid did not lose his life in vain."
