Controversial Iranian climber receives hero’s welcome in Tehran

Supporters and Farsi-language media outside of Iran have worried about Rekabi’s safety after she choose to compete without the hijab

Iranian competitive climber Elnaz Rekabi speaks to journalists in Imam Khomeini International Airport in Tehran (IRNA via AP)

Iranian competitive climber Elnaz Rekabi has received a hero’s welcome on her return to Tehran, after competing in South Korea without wearing a mandatory headscarf required of female athletes from the Islamic Republic.

Rekabi’s decision not to wear the hijab while competing on Sunday came as protests sparked by the death in custody of a 22-year-old woman entered a fifth week.