Neda Rostami, an Iranian-Swiss athlete and world-class bodybuilding champion with multiple gold, silver, and bronze medals, made headlines when she gifted her gold medal to Farah Pahlavi, the Queen of Iran. For Rostami, the gesture was more than an acknowledgment of the past, it was a tribute to Pahlavi’s contributions to Iranian women’s cultural, academic, and social progress. According to Rostami, these efforts empowered women in previous generations and continue to inspire today’s Iranian women in their fight to reclaim their lost rights.
Beyond her talent and dedication, Rostami credits her success to her support system, her husband Reza, and her brother, Ali.
“During the weeks leading up to competitions, Reza takes care of everything at home, ensuring I can fully focus on my training. He even helps during my workouts, handling the weights so that I can perform at my peak,” she shares.
Ali, her brother, is no stranger to success either. A multiple-time world champion in bodybuilding, he has been an invaluable mentor, offering professional guidance throughout her journey. “It’s a perfect triangle,” Rostami says. “With all the necessary elements for becoming a champion.”
When asked about the concept of beauty in bodybuilding, Rostami acknowledges the challenge of explaining it to those outside the sport.
“The routines we follow are often grueling and mentally exhausting. Without strong motivation and a determined mindset, it would be impossible to push through,” she says.
Neda Rostami, World Gold Medalist – Pic: Tayfun Ayra
For a bodybuilder, sculpted muscles represent more than just aesthetics. “Each muscle is a testament to the discipline and mental strength that brought us here. It’s a source of pride and motivation to keep pushing forward.”
She also emphasizes that beauty is subjective and should not be defined solely through the lens of bodybuilding. “A swimmer or a ballet dancer can also have a beautiful physique. The perception of beauty varies from person to person.”
FEMALE ATHLETES IN IRAN
Rostami is vocal about the systemic discrimination faced by female athletes in Iran. Having lived and trained in both Iran and Switzerland, she has firsthand experience of the restrictions imposed on women in sports.
“We cannot remain indifferent to governments that deliberately reduce women to second-class citizens,” she states.
Women in Iran are banned from participating in several sports at the national level, including swimming, diving, water polo, wrestling, boxing, cycling, judo, and bodybuilding. This exclusion means they are also barred from competing in the Olympics and World Championships.
In 2022, Mahin Farhadi Rad, a board member of Iran’s National Olympic Committee, openly stated that no licenses would be granted to women’s bodybuilding clubs in Iran.
Rostami strongly criticizes the silence of international sports organizations. “The IOC and various federations have ignored the plight of Iranian female athletes for far too long. By allowing gender-based discrimination and segregation, they are failing to uphold the principles of the Olympic Charter.”
She further alleges that Iranian government lobbyists have infiltrated sports federations and the IOC, influencing policies that systematically exclude and suppress female athletes. “This is not just an issue within Iran,” she warns. “It’s an international failure that has allowed gender discrimination to persist in global sports.”
FIBO championship, Neda Rostami is on the left side of the image – Pic: Tayfun Ayra
FAIRNESS IN WOMEN’S SPORTS
As the conversation shifts to gender equality in sports, Rostami also raises concerns about the inclusion of transgender athletes in women’s competitions. While she firmly supports equal rights for all athletes, she stresses the need to maintain fairness in women’s sports.
“The IOC and sports governing bodies must ensure that female athletes compete on a level playing field,” she asserts. “This issue demands urgent attention, and those in charge must take responsibility for establishing clear and fair guidelines.”
For Rostami, the debate is not about exclusion but about preserving fair competition. “Sports should be inclusive, but fairness should never be compromised,” she adds.
Neda Rostami is not just a bodybuilding world champion, she is a vocal advocate for gender equality and the rights of female athletes. Through her achievements, she continues to break barriers and challenge systemic injustices in sports, both in Iran and on the global stage.
Her message is clear: the fight for equality in sports is far from over, and the silence of international organizations must end.
