Iran Incensed by Cameron Comments but Will Partake in ’12 Games

Iran have announced that they will compete in next year’s London Olympics despite protesting over the event’s logo, which they claim is racist. However, they do intend to complain to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) after British Prime Minister David Cameron called them “paranoid” after the nation threatened to boycott next year’s Games.

Cameron has incensed the head of the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Mohammad Aliabadi after hitting out at their criticism of the logo. The nation’s NOC had alleged that the jagged, multi-coloured emblem featuring four bold numerals representing 2012, with the Olympic Rings emblazoned within the digit zero, spelt out the world “Zion”.

In an interview with London based Jewish News, Cameron had stated: “It’s completely paranoid.

“If the Iranians don’t want to come, don’t come; we won’t miss you. 

“It would be a crazy reason for not coming.”

Aliabadi has revealed that they have written to the IOC President Jacques Rogge and the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) to protest about Cameron’s remarks, though that would not prevent them competing in the Games.

“British politicians mustn’t comment on the matter,” Aliabadi said.

“We are going to take part gloriously in the 2012 Olympic Games.”

Cameron’s remarks have, predictably, been widely condemned in Iran and there have been calls for them to boycott the Games over them, including the spokesman on foreign affairs for the Majlis, the Iranian Parliament, Kazem Jalai. 

Jalai stated: “An Islamic campaign to boycott London 2012 Olympics Games would be an appropriate response to David Cameron’s insolent remarks about Iran’s criticism of the 2012 logo, which it said spells out the word ‘Zion’.”

Ismaeel Kosari, the vice chairman of the Majlis Foreign Policy Commission, has also hit out at Cameron, adding: “The British Premier has forgotten that the British bullying era is over and the world’s free nations have strongly slapped the bullies including Americans, British and the Zionists in the face.”