An Iranian Para-cyclist has died after being involved in a crash during the Rio Paralympics.
Bahman Golbarnezhad was rushed to hospital after being involved in a collision during the men's C4-5 road race at the 2016 Games in Brazil.
However, after receiving treatment at the roadside, the 48-year-old passed away from a cardiac arrest, a statement from the Iranian Paralympic Committee has confirmed.
"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," read the statement.
"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."
Golbarnezhad, who finished 14th in the C4 time-trial race on Wednesday, also competed at the London Paralympics in 2012.
It is understood that the crash took place at around 10.40am local time in the first section of the Grumari loop.
Matt Law
