By Gabriel Princewill-
The death of a Paralympic cyclist, after a crash during the men’s road race at the Rio Olympics, is heart -breaking.
The International Paralympic Committee said 48 years old Bahman Golbarnezhad suffered cardiac arrest after the incident on a “mountainous stretch” of circuit, which sadly led to his death.
Most heart gripping about this news is the fact that Paralympian’s exhibit an immeasurable level of ability and talent that reflect the innate and extraordinary ability of the human mind. The sad news is most heartbreaking,as expressed by many admirers of the late sportsman.
A released statement read: “The ambulance then diverted to the nearby Unimed Rio Hospital in Barra where he passed away soon after arrival,” The statement added that. Golbarnezhad had competed at the London Paralympics in 2012.
Tragic outcomes like this touch our very beings, evoking the highest level of compassion in our hearts. They exemplify the potential risks that attend the sort of sacrifice that accompanies the sporting life of Paralympians.
Piers Jones, the sports director of cyclists investigation,confirmed an inquiry has been launched into the circumstances of the accident. In a statement, he stated:
“We’re looking to gather as much information as we can and as quickly as possible – it should take a matter of days,” said Piers Jones, the sports director added.
As a mark of respect, the Iranian flag was lowered to half-mast in the Paralympic Village. A period of silence will be observed during Sunday’s closing ceremony.
Masoud Ashrafi, the secretary-general of Iran’s National Paralympic Committee, said they have requested the body of Golbarnezhad to be flown back to Iran on Sunday. The Committee also asked for a full report of the incident from the IPC.
He added: “He had been cycling for 12 years and he was our best cyclist. He was married and has a wife and one son.”He was the kind of man who was a family man. He loved his family.”
This is the first time a fatality has occurred during a competition at an Olympics or a Paralympics since the 100km team time trial at the 1960 Rome Games.
Golbarnezhad fatal crash occurred around 10.35pm yesterday, Saturday, around 10.35.
IPC president Sir Philip Carven said: “This is truly heartbreaking news and the thoughts and condolences of the whole Paralympic movement are with Bahman’s family, friends, and team-mates as well as the whole of the National Paralympic Committee 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.”
This was Golbarnezhad’s second race at the Rio Paralympics, after finishing 14th in the C4 time-trial race on Wednesday.
Golbarnezhad, from the city of Shiraz in southern Iran, also participated in the London 2012 Paralympic Games, having taken up the sport in 2002.
Having competed in events among competitors with impaired limbs, Golbarnezhad has been hailed as an ‘exemplary sportsman’, by many commentators, as the touching plaudits and tributes pour in.
EXEMPLARY
”He was an exemplary Paralympic sportsman, who with love and energy tried his best to promote the name of Iran and make us all proud, and at the end gave his life for this”, a statement from the Iranian Paralympic committee read.
“All members of the Iranian cultural and sports camp here express condolences to his family and the Iranian nation, it continued. The name of Bahman Golbarnezhad will be inscribed in the proud history of Iranian Paralympics.”
“This is very sad news for sports and for the Paralympic movement. Our hearts and prayers are with Bahman’s family, his team-mates and all the people of Iran.”
Golbarnezland received treatment at the scene and was in the process of being taken to the athlete hospital when he suffered cardiac arrest. The eye of media.com sends our heartfelt condolences to the surviving family of the dead Paralympian.