Iranian cyclist Golbarnezhad dies in Rio Paralympics road race crash

Iranian cyclist Bahman Golbarnezhad has died following a crash in the men's C4/C5 road race at the ongoing Rio Paralympics, the International Paralympics Committee confirmed.

The International Paralympics Committee (IPC) revealed that the Iranian cyclist crashed on a mountainous stretch of the road cycling course and suffered a cardiac arrest on the way to the hospital.

According to Sport24, the 48-year-old para-athlete had received an emergency treatment at the scene of the accident before being taken to a local hospital, where officials announced him dead.

IPC President Philip Craven expressed heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and teammates of Golbarnezhad, who was competing in the C4-5 races for athletes with lower limb impairments or amputations.

 

It was Golbarnezhad's second race in Rio de Janeiro. He had earlier finished 14th in the time trial.

A moment of silence will also be observed at Sunday's closing ceremony at the Maracana Stadium.