A sport and religious row erupted today in Iran. The swimmer Elham Asgari said that the Ministry of Sports of Iran refused to register her record in swimming in open water because she was wearing a bathing suit that did not comply with sharia law.
The record was for 8h:00, the time in which the 32-year-old Asghar swam 18 km in the Caspian Sea, on June 11 this year. "I started at the women's swimming beach. I wore an indoor swimming suit approved by Islamic law, it was previously approved by the representatives of the Swimming Federation of the country," Interfax quotes the swimmer.
The Iranian Swimming Federation voiced several objections. First, the Swimming Federation officials who were due to confirm the result were not present. Secondly, "swimming in open water is against the rules set by the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs of Iran." Thirdly, the result is set at a distance not recognized by the International Swimming Federation.
According to the Iranian constitution, women, regardless of their nationality or religion, cannot appear in public places with their heads uncovered. All parts of their bodies should be fully covered.
