Iranian cyclist dies following crash in Rio Paralympic road race
Bahman Golbarnezhad was involved in a fatal crash in the C4-5 road race on Saturday
An Iranian para-cyclist has died after sustaining injuries in a crash in the C4-5 road race at the Rio Paralympics.
According to statement from the International Paralympic Committe, Bahman Golbarnezhad, 48, died after receiving treatment by the roadside and being rushed into hospital.
He was involved in a crash on the first section of the mountainous Grumari loop. He was en route to the athlete hospital when he suffered a cardiac arrest, after which the ambulance diverted to the nearby Unimed Rio Hospital in Barra. He passed away soon after arrival.
Golbarnezhad was 14th in the time-trial on Wednesday and also competed at the London 2012 Games. He was Iran's sole cyclist at the Rio Games.
Although the road race used many of the same roads as the Olympic race held earlier in the year, it did not include the controversial descent that was criticised for being dangerous after numerous crashes in July.
A statement by the Iranian Paralympic Committee read: "It is difficult for us to announce this sad news but, with immense regret, we have to say Sarafraz Bahman Golbarnezhad, Iranian cycling champion, has died after an accident while racing in competition in the 2016 Paralympics.
"He was an exemplary Paralympic sportsman who, with love and energy, tried his best to promote the name of Iran and to make all of us proud and at the end he gave his life for this.
"All members of the Iranian cultural and sports camp here express condolences to his family and the Iranian nation.
"The name of Bahman Golbarnezhad will be inscribed in the proud history of Iranian Paralympics."
Sir Philip Carven, IPC President, said: “This is truly heart-breaking news and the thoughts and condolences of the whole Paralympic Movement are with Bahman’s family, friends, and teammates as well as the whole of the National Paralympic Committee (NPC) of Iran.
“The Paralympic Family is united in grief at this horrendous tragedy which casts a shadow over what have been great Paralympic Games here in Rio.”
A moment of silence will be held at the Paralympic Closing Ceremony on Sunday.
An investigation into the circumstances of the tragedy has been launched.
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
-
Shimano GRX 12 speed reviewed: Shimano shows just how good mechanical shifting can be but is it enough?
We reviewed Shimano's mechanical 12-speed GRX gravel groupset. We were impressed with the performance but would like to see more.
By Anne-Marije Rook Published
-
Tweets of the week: Visma-Lease a Bike are fed up, Mathieu van der Poel's mullet, and a Mark Cavendish costume
It's 2024, time to stop calling them Jumbo
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Paralympic cyclist seeks funding for new leg for Rio 2016
Colin Lynch, who rides for Ireland, just missed out on a medal at London 2012, and is looking to raise £8,000 for a new limb
By Nigel Wynn Published
-
Still more for UCI to do in support of ParaCycling, says Cundy
A delay in the UCI sending paperwork nearly cost ParaCycling a place in the 2020 Olympic Games, and there's plenty of work for the governing body still to do, according to Jody Cundy
By Stuart Clarke Published
-
Cookson: UCI committed in support of para-cycling
International Paralympic Committee president Sir Philip Craven told the UCI there were 'serious reservations' about the future of the sport
By Stuart Clarke Published
-
UCI mistake means 2020 Tokyo Paralympics may not include para-cycling events
Updated: The UCI says it is "fully committed" in its support of para-cycling.
By Nick Bull Published
-
Mark Colbourne remembers his Paralympic gold one year on
Recently-retired Welshman returns to London Velodrome to be unveiled as Lee Valley VeloPark ambassador
By Nigel Wynn Published
-
Steve Arnold hoping to boost Paralympic chances in RideLondon Grand Prix
Hand cyclist Steve Arnold will compete in Saturday's RideLondon Grand Prix
By Nigel Wynn Published
-
Storey takes gold on day one of London Paralympics
London 2012 Paralympics day one: Mark Colbourne takes GB's first cycling medal with a silver in men's C1-2-3 Kilo
By Nick Bull Published
-
PARALYMPICS: ALL GOLD FOR TEAM GB
Brits clean up in Beijing
By Nigel Wynn Published