Following the holding of a marathon race in Tehran’s Velayat Park and the presence of some women without mandatory hijab, the head of the Department of Sports and Youth of Tehran Province said that the permit to hold the event had been issued by the province’s Security Council, and before the start of the race, undertakings to observe “Islamic proprieties” were taken from the participants.

Habib Setoudehnejad, in an interview with Tasnim News Agency, said that legal and disciplinary action would be taken against athletes who are identified as “at fault.”

He added that the event’s executive staff and security personnel were present along the route and, whenever necessary, gave reminders to the participants. According to Setoudehnejad, even some women were prevented from taking part in the race.

The head of the Department of Sports and Youth of Tehran Province also said that about 95% of the participants complied with the matters in question, and other athletes were also reminded along the route.