Iranian para-cyclist dies after road race crash

The Paralympics’ official statement said: “During this morning’s cycling C4 road race at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, Iranian athlete Bahman Golbarnezhad was involved in a serious accident”.

This triggered a fatal cardiac arrest, which occurred when the athlete was being taken to hospital.

Iran’s Paralympic Committee says 48-year-old Bahman Golbarnezhad died after receiving treatment at the roadside and being rushed to hospital.

“All members of the Iranian cultural and sports camp here express condolences to his family and the Iranian nation”.

“He unfortunately passed away”, International Paralympic Committee spokesman Craig Spence told AFP.

“The name of Bahman Golbarnezhad will be inscribed in the proud history of Iranian Paralympics”.

The Iranian flag has since been lowered to half-mast in the Paralympic Village as a sign of respect.

The Paralympic flag will also be flown at half-mast in the Paralympic Village and at the Rio Centro venue where Iran on Sunday (18 September) will play Bosnia and Herzegovina in the sitting volleyball gold medal match. He appeared in the time trial earlier this week, finishing 14th.