"Elham Asghari," first female swimming record holder in Iran's open sea swimming, in June 2013, set a new breaststroke record in the Caspian Sea. She has however faced an unexpected problem in registering the new record.
The problem is that "Marziyeh Akbar-Abadi", Deputy Minister of Women Affairs, Youth and Sports of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, has prevented the registry of the 20 kilometers swim record in the Caspian Sea. "Earlier, there has been no such a thing as 'free swimming suits for women' officially approved in the Ministry of Sports. Elham Asghari's custom, however in accord with Islam, is not acceptable and recording this record is against Islam and law." Akbar-Abadi said.
Since then, millions of Iranian Facebook users have shown support and sympathy; Elham has thanked them all by releasing a video message, and said she will never lay down her arms before unjust pressures and obligations.

Find her on Facebook:
www.fb.com/asghari.athlete

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