Champion weightlifter gives 40,000-dollar lift to Bam quake orphans appeal

TEHRAN (AFP) Jan 04, 2004
Iranian strongman Hossein Rezazadeh threw his weight behind an appeal for the orphans of the Bam earthquake when the vest in which he became world weightlifing champion fetched 40,000 dollars at auction.

Press reports on Sunday said that superstar Rezazadeh, 24, donated the vest when he heard about the plight of 1,700 children orphaned in the devastating December 26 quake which left some 30,000 people dead.

In Iran, weightlifters have the cult status of footballers and baseball stars in the West and the vest, in which Rezazadeh won two gold medals and a bronze in the over 105kg category in Vancouver, Canada, last November, was emblazoned with a slogan imploring a relative of the prophet to give him strength: "Abolfazl Make Me Strong".

It was bought by an Iranian living in London, Rezazadeh said.

The money raised will go towards the building of an orphanage in the stricken city.

TERRA.WIRE