On her return to Iran following her involvement in a competition sans a hijab in South Korea, the footage appears to show enormous crowds declaring the 33-year-old a hero and giving her flowers.
A climber from Iran who participated in international competition without a headscarf claimed it was “totally inadvertent.”
Elnaz Rekabi did not wear a hijab at the competition in South Korea on Sunday, even though female competitors from the Islamic Republic are required to do so.
It followed a month of protests in Iran spurred by the death of Mahsa Amini, who was imprisoned by the country’s morality police because of her dress.
Since the murder of the 22-year-old, Iranian women have been removing their hijabs in public to protest.
The demonstrations are the biggest significant challenge to Iran’s theocracy since the enormous protests that followed its contested presidential election in 2009.
Wednesday, after enjoying a hero’s welcome upon her return to Iran, Ms. Rekabi told a state television reporter: “If I were to explain, I would say that everything aligns with what I said online. This was all unintentional. I believe my Instagram story adequately explains this.
“Unexpectedly, I was required to compete. I neglected to wear my required hijab because I was preoccupied with donning my shoes and technical equipment. After that, I competed.
“Fortunately, I returned to Iran with peace of mind, although having endured a great deal of worry and stress; thus far, thank God, nothing has occurred.”
Ms. Rekabi responded when the reporter informed her of rumors that no one knew where she was for between 24 and 48 hours “No. This did not occur. We returned to Iran as per the original plan. Up to this point, everything has gone according to plan.”
Tuesday, an Instagram post on an account purported to be the athlete explained her lack of hijab as unintentional, though it was unclear whether she was the author.
The Iranian government constantly exerts pressure on domestic and international activists, frequently broadcasting what human rights organizations describe as coerced confessions on state television.
The Instagram post apologized for “making everyone scared” and explained: “Because I was preoccupied with putting on my shoes and equipment, I forgot to put on my hijab before competing.”
The online video appeared to show enormous throngs assembled early Wednesday at Imam Khomeini International Airport outside of Tehran, the major exit point for the sanctioned nation.
State television cameras captured the 33-year-old athlete entering one of the airport’s terminals while wearing a black baseball cap and sweatshirt covering her hair. She was given flowers by a bystander.
Outside, she reportedly boarded a van and was transported slowly through the gathered audience as they cheered. It was unknown where she went from there.
A former member of the national ice climbing team and close friend has expressed “extreme anxiety” about Rekabi.
In an Instagram post, Zeinab Moosavi said, “Considering all the recent events, Iran and the entire world are concerned for Elnaz’s welfare upon her arrival in Iran.
