An Instagram story from the account of Iranian climber Elnaz Rekabi has said that the 33-year-old's head covering became "unintentionally problematic" during the recent Asian Championships amid growing concerns for her safety.
In the midst of wide-scale protests over the mandatory wearing of hijabs for Iranian women - including competing athletes - Rekabi competed without a head covering at the Asian Championships in South Korea earlier this month.
The 33-year-old placed fourth in the women's boulder and lead final, but fears over her wellbeing have been mounting ever since footage emerged of her competing without a hijab.
BBC Persian have reported that Rekabi's friends have been unable to get in touch with her since the tournament, while the Iranian embassy in South Korea claimed that the climber was to fly back home on Tuesday - unexpectedly pushed forward from Wednesday.
Family and friends are alleged to have lost communication with Rekabi after she said she was with an Iranian official, while her phone and passport are also said to have been confiscated.
Ms. Elnaz REKABI, departed from Seoul to Iran, early morning of October 18, 2022, along with the other members of the Team.
— Iran embassy in Seoul (@IraninSKorea) October 18, 2022
The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in South Korea strongly denies all the fake, false news and disinformation regarding Ms. Elnaz REKABI. pic.twitter.com/053pFWs96m
A story has now been posted from Rekabi's Instagram account, during which an apology is given for "concerns" caused and an "unsuitable timetable" is blamed for her not wearing a hijab.
"Greetings to all respectful and honorable citizens of Iran. I, Elnaz Rekabi with 20 years of membership in national team of climbing while apologizing for the concerns that I have caused, I must announce because of the existing sensitivities during the finale of the Asian Championship competition taken place in South Korea, because of the unsuitable timetable and unexpected call for me to climb the wall, unintentionally my cover became problematic," Sky News transcribes the post as saying.
"Right now based on a prearranged timetable with the team, I am heading to Iran."
The post came after the Iranian embassy in South Korea put out a tweet "strongly denying all the fake, false news and disinformation" about Rekabi's situation.
Protests against the government in Tehran were sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini in custody last month, after the 22-year-old was detained by Iran's morality police for supposedly wearing her hijab too loosely.
Ben Knapton
