Iran Bans Weightlifter For Life After Photo Shows Him With Israeli Rival

Iranian weightlifter Mustafa Radschaie Langrudi (center) has been banned by his country after being photographed shaking hands with a member of the Israeli team at a competition in Poland.

Iran on August 30 banned weightlifter Mustafa Radschaie Langrudi for life, claiming he acted "contrary to the ideals of the Islamic republic" when a photo of him by a medals stand showed him together with an athlete from Israel. Langrudi won two silver medals at the competition in the Polish city of Wieliczka where the picture was taken. In one photo, Langrudi and his Israeli rival are seen talking with smiling faces and holding hands. To read the original story by RFE/RL’s Radio Farda, click here.