JERUSALEM (JTA) — An Iranian swimmer reportedly refused to race against an Israeli competitor at the World Championships in Rome.
Mohammad Alirezaei would not compete Tuesday in his heat of the men’s 50-meter breaststroke since it would mean getting in the pool with Israeli swimmer Mickey Malul, Ynet reported.
In the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Alirezaei withdrew from the men’s 100-meter breaststroke event rather than compete against Israeli swimmer Tom Beeri.
