VOA Persian: Iranian climber Elnaz Rekabi leaves homeland

Iranian athlete Elnaz Rekabi competes during the women's Boulder & Lead final during the IFSC Climbing Asian Championships in Seoul, South Korea, Oct. 16, 2022. (Rhea Khang/International Federation of Sport Climbing via AP)

Iranian climber Elnaz Rekabi has left the country, her brother announced, expressing his sentiments with the message: “I wish Iran was a better place for you. ... Earth is your home. Go and shine!” he wrote, addressing Elnaz Rekabi as he shared news of her departure. Rekabi, Iran’s climbing champion, faced government restrictions upon returning to Iran after competing without the mandatory hijab at the Climbing World Championships event amid the 2022 nationwide protests in Iran.