FOR KING AND COUNTRY: Ja’afar Salmassi the teacher who won Iran’s first Olympic medal

In 1948, Iran sent its first Olympic team to London. The nation’s young Shah, who had set the country on a course of modernisation, saw the ’48 games as an opportunity to reintroduce Iran to the world. (Source: persianrealm.com)

Weightlifter Ja’afar Salmassi, a teacher by profession, won Iran’s first Olympic medal – a bronze in the featherweight class.

On Sunday, Samassi’s athletic heirs – the men’s 56kg weightlifters – compete in London for 2012 Olympic gold.

Salmassi: The teacher who won Iran’s first Olympic medal :

The BBC Persian Service’s Khashayar Joneidi tells Salmassi’s story.

NOTE : Go to @ 2min 21 BBC Persian subtly ignores that the national anthem in 1948 of Iran was Not « Ey Iran » (which is merely a patriotic anthem) but the Pahlavi Anthem. Not very professional gentlemen or are you folks deliberately ignoring it ? (See Comments on National Anthem Further Below in « King & Country » section) ;0)

Shah of Iran at the UN Opening 1948:

Shah of Iran delivers speech at the United Nations in 1948

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LONDON 1948

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Shah of Iran at the London Summer Olympics 1948:

(Video Courtesy : OTAB Olympic Television Archive Bureau via‪frauenatz)

London, acting as host City, stages the Games for the first time since 1908, , in presenting the opening scenes, will screen the highlights of the events as they continue.  His Majesty the King opened the Games in a ceremony at Wembley Stadium. On the second day one of the highlights was the winning of the 10,000 metres by Emil Zatopek. 

London Olympics 1948:

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FOR KING AND COUNTRY

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Salamati-ye Shah was the first national anthem of Persia (Iran). It was used from the time of Mozzafar al-Din Shah Qajar until 1933, when it was replaced by Sorood-e Shahanshahi Iran, under the Pahlavi Dynasty. The music was composed by French military musician Lemaire.

Iran’s National Anthem was the Pahlavi Royal Anthem for 50 years from 1926-1979:

Iran’s National Anthem During the Qajar Era was:

Related pictory:

Iran in London WW II parade

Iran in London WW II parade (2)

VOA’s OFOGH: Abbas Milani & Majid Tafreshi On Iran’s Demands For WW2 Reparations