TEHRAN, Sep. 18 (MNA) – President Rouhani has expressed his deepest condolences and regret over the death of Iranian Para cyclist Bahman Golbarnezhad following an accident in Saturday’s road race at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.

“The tragic news of the passing away of our beloved cyclist Bahman Golbarnezhad in an accident during the Rio Paralympic Games has weighed down our hearts with deepest sorrow,” President Hassan Rouhani said in a Tweet published on his official account on Saturday.

He further prayed to God that his departed soul may rest in Heaven.

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) confirmed on Saturday the death of the Iranian Para cyclist Bahman Golbarnezhad following an accident in a road race at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.

“Golbarnezhad, 48, was involved in a crash at around 10:40 am on the first section of the Grumari loop, a mountainous stretch of the course. The athlete received treatment at the scene and was in the process of being taken to the athlete hospital when he suffered a cardiac arrest. The ambulance then diverted to the nearby Unimed Rio Hospital in Barra where he passed away soon after arrival,” the IPC said in a statement.

“This is truly heart-breaking news and the thoughts and condolences of the whole Paralympic Movement are with Bahman’s family, friends, and teammates as well as the whole of the National Paralympic Committee (NPC) of Iran," Sir Philip Craven, IPC President, said.

Carlos Nuzman, President of Rio 2016, also reacted to the news, "this is very sad news for sport and for the Paralympic movement. Our hearts and prayers are with Bahman’s family, his teammates and all the people of Iran.”

According to IPC, an investigation into the circumstances of the accident has been launched.

Golbarnezhad, who was a veteran of the Iran-Iraq war, had also participated at the London 2012 Paralympic Games and took up the sport in 2002.

By Mehr News Agency