IOC president Rogge dismisses Israel claim that Iranian faked injury at Youth Olympics

IOC dismisses Israel claim Iranian faked injury

SINGAPORE — IOC president Jacques Rogge has dismissed claims by Israel that an Iranian faked an injury to avoid facing one of its athletes in a Youth Olympics taekwondo match.

Rogge says that the Iranian athlete did not participate in the final “because he was injured” and that he was taken to a Singapore hospital after hurting his ankle in a semifinal match. He says there is “no controversy” over the match, adding that injuries happen.

On Sunday, Israel called the withdrawal of Mohammad Soleimani political and claimed it was common for Iranians to avoid competing with Israelis. The Iranians said the withdrawal against eventual gold medal winner Gili Haimovitz was because of an injury.