Iran’s sole female Olympic medalist says she’s defected

(CNN)Iran’s sole female Olympic medalist Kimia Alizadeh announced that she has permanently left her country for Europe.

“Let me start with a greeting, a farewell or condolences,” the 21-year—old wrote in an Instagram post explaining why she was defecting. “I am one of the millions of oppressed women in Iran who they have been playing with for years.”
Alizadeh became the first Iranian woman to win an Olympic medal after claiming taekwondo bronze in the -57kg category during the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Affectionately known in Iran as “The Tsunami,” Alizadeh announced she was leaving her birth country with searing criticism the regime in Tehran.