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                 Iranian Wrestlers Unexpectedly Leave US Early

   by VOA News

   The Iranian national wrestling team abruptly left the United States
   Thursday night, pulling out of a scheduled event Sunday in Los Angeles.
   The Iranians had been competing in the U.S. for the first time in a
   decade, taking part in an exhibition meet Wednesday with Russia and the
   United States at Grand Central Station in New York City.
   They had been scheduled to compete against the United States on Sunday
   at an event called United 4 Wrestling in Los Angeles.
   None of the 18 members of the Iranian wrestling delegation was allowed
   to speak to VOA on the record, but sources familiar with the situation
   said team members believe political pressure at home was responsible
   for their early departure.
   Iran has a presidential election in about four weeks. Four years ago,
   the election caused massive social unrest and protests that sparked
   deaths across the country.
   The New York meet was arranged to be a show of unity after the
   International Olympic Committee decided to drop wrestling from the
   Olympic schedule in 2020. The exhibition matches in New York City and
   Los Angeles were part of a promotional tour for the sport and to lobby
   the IOC to keep wrestling in future Olympics.
   In the absence of the Iranians, USA Wrestling announced it will bring
   Russian and Canadian Olympians to face the Americans in Los Angeles
   Sunday.
   USA Wrestling said it was grateful to the Iranian Wrestling Federation
   for its participation in an "outstanding competition" in New York, and
   that the Iranians have assured USA Wrestling that they remain committed
   to the cause of keeping the sport in the Olympics.
   Wednesday's New York meet saw the U.S. dominate Russia by a score of
   8-1, while Iran-in front of a number of flag-waving fans-easily beat
   the Americans, 6-1.
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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/iranian-wrestlers-unexpectedly-leave-
   us-early/1663207.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/iranian-wrestlers-unexpectedly-leave-us-early/1663207.html