Sir Philip Craven has visited the grave of Para cyclist Bahman Golbarnezhad in Iran ©NPC Iran

International Paralympic Committee (IPC) President Sir Philip Craven has visited the grave of Iranian cyclist Bahman Golbarnezhad, who died on the penultimate day of the Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro last year. 

Sir Philip is in Iran this week to observe the progress the Paralympic Movement is making in the country.

Sir Philip met with the family of Golbarnezhad in Shiraz before paying his respects at the athlete’s grave.

Golbarnezhad, 48, died after crashing during the C4-5 cycling road race in Pontal, a small peninsula and beach area in the Recreio dos Bandeirantes neighborhood, located in the West Zone of Rio de Janeiro.

He suffered a cardiac arrest on the way to hospital after incurring a head injury following a collision with a rock while descending midway through the race on September 17.

Sir Philip said that Golbarnezhad's death "cast a dark shadow" over the Games. 

The Iranian National Paralympic Committee (NPC) also arranged for Sir Philip to meet with the the country's Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs Masoud Soltanifar in Tehran.

Sir Philip attended a meeting of the Iranian NPC's Governing Board and delivered a 30-minute address to officials and athletes on the progress the Paralympic Movement has made during his time as IPC President.

IPC President Sir Philip Craven, left, met with Iranian Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs Masoud Soltanifar ©NPC Iran
IPC President Sir Philip Craven, left, met with Iranian Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs Masoud Soltanifar ©NPC Iran

He also gave his views on Iran’s progress within the Paralympic Movement.

"I first visited this country in 1995 when I was President of the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation," said Sir Philip.

"I was impressed with what I experienced back then and have been equally impressed on each of my return visits.

"Today, the National Paralympic Committee of the Islamic Republic of Iran is one of the leading Para sport nations in Asia and is a NPC that is greatly respected around the world.

"Iran now boasts some of the biggest global stars in Paralympic sport; the performances of powerlifter Siamand Rahman, archer Zarah Nemati, shooter Sareh Javanmardidodmani and sitting volleyball player Morteza Mehrzadselakjani among others at Rio 2016 made global headlines.

"Such is Iran’s progress in recent years that I would not be surprised if the country broke into the top 10 of the medals table at Tokyo 2020 or in 2024."

The IPC President also officially opened the third National Para Athletics Championships, an event attracting more than 700 Para athletes from Iran’s 29 provinces.

Sir Philip’s visit to Iran will conclude on Monday (May 8) and is due to visit a new Paralympic sport complex and meet a number of Paralympians over the coming days.