‘Hardest time in my life’
Mozhdeh’s Olympic dream gets ruined by red tape
National tae kwan do champion Eisa Mozhdeh is heartbroken after a series of conflicting messages between governing bodies has abruptly ended his chances of securing a spot at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Despite securing Olympic qualification, the Iranian-born New Zealand citizen has been told he won’t be going to Paris for the Games because Taekwondo New Zealand (TNZ) is not a member of the New Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC) because of their inappropriate agreements, policies and legal processes.
After four years of dedicating himself to training for Paris, under-68kg competitor Mozhdeh said since hearing the news, “It’s been extremely challenging to keep training, stay focused . . . all the mental challenges and everything.
“I’ve had the hardest time in my life dealing with all of that.”
Mozhdeh, a fifth-dan black belt, came to Aotearoa five years ago and was given early citizenship specifically to be able to represent the country in the sport at the Olympics. He’s gone on to win multiple national titles.
Mozhdeh wasn’t officially made aware of his Olympic fate until February 8 this year after he reached out to the NZOC.
In documents obtained by NZME, the NZOC told Mozhdeh he had not been submitted to any long list for Paris 2024 because the governing body is not eligible to be included.
“Taekwondo NZ is not a member of the NZOC and does not have the appropriate agreements, policies and agreed legal process for athletes to take part in in order to be selected to the next Olympic Games,” the documents read.
“As such, we regret to inform you that the NZOC is therefore not able to accept any quotas for Paris 2024. Taekwondo NZ was asked prior to selection of the team to ensure athletes were aware of this. We are disappointed if Taekwondo NZ has not been clearer to you at this time. Finally, we are not able to select any New Zealand athletes as an independent/individual athlete under these circumstances.”
Meanwhile, TNZ has consistently maintained the idea that Mozhdeh would still be able to compete, and to this day he is still waiting to hear official confirmation that is no longer the case.
An email from a TNZ staffer sent to Mozhder’s partner Stella on October 18, 2023 stated: “It’s been a long process to gain NZOC membership and we are near the closing stages and hopeful that within the next month we will achieve our goal. As far as athletes having an ability to be selected and attend the Olympics, this can still be achieved via the athlete [rather than a non-member national organisation].
“This has always been the case and if TNZ were unsuccessful in our membership application, we would continue to support the application of any athlete in a position for Olympic selection.”
On February 23, the Oceania Taekwondo Union posted to Facebook acknowledging TNZ were sending athletes to compete at the Oceania Olympic qualification event, despite knowing where the organisation stood with the NZOC.
“The New Zealand Olympic committee will not nominate any Taekwondo athlete to compete at the Paris Olympic games as there is no organisation that is recognised for the sport of Taekwondo in New Zealand,” the union said.
“We are compelled to publish this announcement because in light of the announcement made by Taekwondo New Zealand, athletes may be under the misapprehension they are eligible to compete in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games when in fact they are not.”
Meanwhile, Mozhdeh received an email from Kwon New Zealand — the supposed sponsorship partner for Kiwi tae kwan do athletes — on March 5 with a breakdown of the gear he is set to receive for the Olympics.
Mozhdeh is hoping there could be away to compete as neutral athlete, not under the New Zealand flag. He’s reached out to World Taekwondo to begin this process and has approached the NZOC for a letter of support.
Taekwondo New Zealand did not respond to requests for comments.