A few days ago, an earthquake of 7.3 magnitude hit Iran and Iraq. We've all heard the news, there is no need to repeat them again. However this article is good news. I just bumped into this on reddit, and I wanted to share it here. Full details by BBC can be found here. 



Kianoush Rostami, who is from Kermanshah, decided to auction his gold medal that he won in 2016 Rio Olympics to aid to the victims of the earthquake. The 26 year old weightlifter had won the gold medal when he broke the world record by lifting a total of 396 kgs during the olympics. In a video he posted on Instagram, he said: *I am returning my Rio 2016 Olympics gold medal - which actually belongs to them - to my people*.


Soon after, paralympic shooting champion Sareh Javanmardi uploaded a video on Instagram and announced that she will be selling her gold medal too. Javanmardi had won her gold medal in shooting when she scored 193.4 points in 2016 Rio Paralympic Games. 

Former national footballer Ali Daei also joined this beautiful effort, he opened a bank account and started raising funds for the aid efforts. Daei started his aid campaign on Instagram, and yesterday he uploaded a video where he is seen with the supplies bought with the funds raised. 


I just cant find words to express how beautiful this is. I have no idea who these people are, or what their political sides/views are about. To me, they are just people who love their country and people, and I wish all the best for them. I hope their efforts can help ease the pain of the victims, and if and when the time comes, Iranian people will remember these heroes.