Iran's hardline regime has strictly curtailed voter choice, but the run-up to the presidential election next month promises to be anything but dull.
Indeed, even the terms "run-up" and "front runner" - standard electoral lexicon - could be controversial because of a bitter row that erupted after the moderate two-time former president, Ali Akbar Rafsanjani, was barred this week from contesting the June 14 vote.
His critics suggested that, at 78, the cleric was too old and infirm to manage the country. The supporters of Mr Rafsanjani, a founding father of the Islamic republic, insisted the real reason he was disqualified was because he would have trounced hardline candidates.
One of his most vociferous cheerleaders, Ali Motahari, a veteran conservative parliamentarian and son of a prominent revolutionary cleric, came up with a novel way to settle the question of physical fitness.
"I propose that … there be a 200-metre race between him [Mr Rafsanjani] and Mr Jalili and a wrestling match between him and Mr Haddad-Adel." he told Iran's semi-official Mehr news agency on Wednesday.
Saeed Jalili, 47, Iran's chief nuclear negotiator, lost his lower right leg in the war against Iraq in the 1980s, and is said to have survived two Iraqi chemical-gas attacks.
Meanwhile, Gholam-Ali Haddad-Adel, a 67-year-old former parliamentary speaker and son-in-law of Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is painfully thin and puny-looking.
Both men are among just eight candidates selected from a field of nearly 700 hopefuls by the Guardian Council, a constitutional watchdog, to contest the presidential election.
Yesterday, Mr Jalili's supporters lambasted Mr Motahari for his political incorrectness, condemning him for "mocking and ridiculing" a humble if dignified war veteran.
In a scathing public letter, they scoffed that if the outspoken deputy felt qualified to recognise sporting talent, then he should give up his seat in parliament and become a member of Iran's Olympic Committee.
Mr Jalili, widely seen as the favoured candidate of Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, faces stiff competition from a more charismatic war veteran. He is Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, 51, the well-regarded mayor of Tehran, a former police chief and dashing pilot who served as air force commander of the elite Revolutionary Guards.
Although a Khamenei loyalist, he might be too independent and ambitious for the ayatollah who, stung by his experience with Mr Ahmadinejad, now seemingly wants a pliant president with as much charisma as a door-stopper.
Mr Qalibaf also suffered a blow last week when an audiotape surfaced in which he allegedly took responsibility for violently suppressing protesters in 1999 and 2003.
. His campaign team said the recording was doctored and released by his political adversaries.
Iranian presidential elections have a habit of throwing up 11th-hour surprises. But so far, Tehran is set next month for a ticker-tape finish between Mr Jalili and Mr Qalibaf. The former takes the hardest line of all the candidates but the latter seems to be more in tune with popular sentiment.
mtheodoulou@thenational.ae
Grand slam winners since July 2003
Who has won major titles since Wimbledon 2003 when Roger Federer won his first grand slam
Roger Federer 19 (8 Wimbledon, 5 Australian Open, 5 US Open, 1 French Open)
Rafael Nadal 16 (10 French Open, 3 US Open, 2 Wimbledon, 1 Australian Open)
Novak Djokovic 12 (6 Australian Open, 3 Wimbledon, 2 US Open, 1 French Open)
Andy Murray 3 (2 Wimbledon, 1 US Open)
Stan Wawrinka 3 (1 Australian Open, 1 French Open, 1 US Open)
Andy Roddick 1 (1 US Open)
Gaston Gaudio 1 (1 French Open)
Marat Safin 1 (1 Australian Open)
Juan Martin del Potro 1 (1 US Open)
Marin Cilic 1 (1 US Open)
Company profile
Date started: 2015
Founder: John Tsioris and Ioanna Angelidaki
Based: Dubai
Sector: Online grocery delivery
Staff: 200
Funding: Undisclosed, but investors include the Jabbar Internet Group and Venture Friends
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GOLF’S RAHMBO
- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
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- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
Tips for job-seekers
- Do not submit your application through the Easy Apply button on LinkedIn. Employers receive between 600 and 800 replies for each job advert on the platform. If you are the right fit for a job, connect to a relevant person in the company on LinkedIn and send them a direct message.
- Make sure you are an exact fit for the job advertised. If you are an HR manager with five years’ experience in retail and the job requires a similar candidate with five years’ experience in consumer, you should apply. But if you have no experience in HR, do not apply for the job.
David Mackenzie, founder of recruitment agency Mackenzie Jones Middle East
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The bio
Who inspires you?
I am in awe of the remarkable women in the Arab region, both big and small, pushing boundaries and becoming role models for generations. Emily Nasrallah was a writer, journalist, teacher and women’s rights activist
How do you relax?
Yoga relaxes me and helps me relieve tension, especially now when we’re practically chained to laptops and desks. I enjoy learning more about music and the history of famous music bands and genres.
What is favourite book?
The Perks of Being a Wallflower - I think I've read it more than 7 times
What is your favourite Arabic film?
Hala2 Lawen (Translation: Where Do We Go Now?) by Nadine Labaki
What is favourite English film?
Mamma Mia
Best piece of advice to someone looking for a career at Google?
If you’re interested in a career at Google, deep dive into the different career paths and pinpoint the space you want to join. When you know your space, you’re likely to identify the skills you need to develop.
Brave CF 27 fight card
Welterweight:
Abdoul Abdouraguimov (champion, FRA) v Jarrah Al Selawe (JOR)
Lightweight:
Anas Siraj Mounir (TUN) v Alex Martinez (CAN)
Welterweight:
Mzwandile Hlongwa (RSA) v Khamzat Chimaev (SWE)
Middleweight:
Tarek Suleiman (SYR) v Rustam Chsiev (RUS)
Mohammad Fakhreddine (LEB) v Christofer Silva (BRA)
Super lightweight:
Alex Nacfur (BRA) v Dwight Brooks (USA)
Bantamweight:
Jalal Al Daaja (JOR) v Tariq Ismail (CAN)
Chris Corton (PHI) v Zia Mashwani (PAK)
Featherweight:
Sulaiman (KUW) v Abdullatip (RUS)
Super lightweight:
Flavio Serafin (BRA) v Mohammad Al Katib (JOR)
The%20specs
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The%20Last%20White%20Man
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UAE%20medallists%20at%20Asian%20Games%202023
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