The beautiful side of Iranians (Videos and images from Olympics)
To any fair-minded observer, the 2012 Olympics shed light on two prominent sides of Iranian culture: The competitiveness (pride), which got Iranian athletes their good share of medals - 12 medals for 52 participating athletes, second only to China in terms of medal wins per athletes - , and the humility (modesty), typical of Persian/Islamic culture, which helped them act unassuming and humble after their notable wins.
A prominent example, was the world's strongest man, Behdad Salimi, who was very unassuming after taking his gold medal - for lifting close to 500 pounds! - in weightlifting. No yelling or obnoxious behavior for a man who was just titled the strognest man in the world. He knows that Iranian and Islamic culture look down upon arrogant, immodest and loud winners. Upon his victorious return from the Olympics, Salimi was among the first who volunteered to help victims of the recent Iranian earthquake.
The Iranian wrestlers and tae kwondo athletes who also won medals, typically kissed the ground of arena and thanked god in humility and thankfulness.
Now contrast that to the behavior by the German Robert Harting, who ripped off his shirt and rudely confronted Iranian fans after he defeated hi Iranian contestant Ehsan Haddadi by less than 4 inches! in discus throw. Harting threw 68.27 meters compared to Haddadi's 68.18 meters. Haddai won silver yet acted modestly and like a gentleman. Harting is perhaps the biggest name among Germany's 77 track and field athletes at the Olympics - both literally and figuratively - at 201 centimeters (6 feet 7 inches) and 126 kilograms (278 pounds)!
Olympics provide us with a rare window to the best (and perhaps wthe orst) of world cultures. Western media point out to the undre-representation of women in athletic sports in Islamic countries, which is true. Now, only if "men" athletes in the "civilized" nations would learn civility from the likes of Iranian "men" athletes!
When I was raised in Iran, I was told often that "winning is not everything." Among our heroes were names like Takhti or Imam Ali, strong men who were also kind, charitable and unassuming. In my adult years, however, I was introduced to this slogan in Western circles: "Winning is not everything .... it is THE ONLY thing!"
Sent by Shariatiparast
Related:
Esfandiari's $18.3 million proof Iranians are easy going and love High-stakes games
