As an Iranian-American woman connected to the bodybuilding community, I believe this sport represents more than physical excellence. It represents discipline, integrity, and responsibility.
The Arnold Sports Festival is not just a competition — it is a global brand. Every athlete who steps onto its stage reflects the values that brand chooses to platform.
Hadi Choopan has publicly expressed support for the leadership of the Islamic Republic of Iran. This leadership, which oversees the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), was formally designated on January 29, 2026, as a terrorist organization by the Council of the European Union under the EU sanctions regime.
In recent years, independent media outlets and international human rights organizations have reported significant civilian casualties and widespread human rights violations during crackdowns inside Iran. Death toll estimates vary, with independent reports citing figures exceeding 30,000, while official government numbers are significantly lower. These discrepancies themselves reflect the seriousness and opacity of the situation.
At the same time, Mr. Choopan benefits from Western sporting platforms for global visibility, commercial sponsorships, financial opportunity, and prestige.
This creates a serious ethical and reputational contradiction.
This petition is not about nationality. It is not about personal attacks. It is about standards.
Global sporting institutions have a responsibility to uphold ethical consistency.
When a global sporting event grants its stage to individuals who publicly align themselves with political structures that are internationally sanctioned and widely accused of systemic human rights abuses, that decision carries implications beyond sport. In today’s climate, neutrality cannot mean indifference.
Brands survive on credibility. Sponsors invest in trust. Audiences expect consistency between stated values and real decisions.
We respectfully urge the organizers of the Arnold Sports Festival 2026 and relevant U.S. authorities to review this matter transparently and responsibly. A global platform should not inadvertently normalize or legitimize public expressions of support for political structures facing international terrorism designations and serious human rights allegations.
Strength is not only physical. It is moral.