Paralympic winner Nemati secures Rio 2016 Olympic space

Read the original article on the International Paralympic Committee website.

Iran's Zahra Nemati secured a historic slot for her country at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games following her performance at the Asian Archery Championships in Bangkok, Thailand, on Sunday 8 November. The competition was the first of five continental qualification tournaments to the Olympic Games and awarded five new nations places to Rio 2016.

Nemati, who became the first woman from her country to win an Olympic or Paralympic gold medal at London 2012, came second in the recurve women’s qualification tournament in Bangkok.

“[Sunday] is considered to me as a historical day,” Nemati said. “I do my best to catch honours in Olympic and Paralympic Games simultaneously. I am so happy to get that since I motivate all archers in my country.”

“I will remain here in Thailand to support the [para archers] when they come here to [seek a] slot for the Rio Paralympic Games.”

Iranian National Paralympic Committee President Mahmoud Khosravi Vafa praised Nemati, pointing to the success in Thailand as a memorable day for the Paralympic Movement in the country.

In a press conference he said the victory was an opportunity for the country to secure more slots toward the Games. Iran NPC also received congratulatory messages from the National Olympic Committee President, and from across the sporting community in the country.

Nemati remains in Bangkok to support her teammates, competing at the 2015 World Archery Asian Para Championships which begin on Tuesday 10 November.