Iran’s Elnaz Rekabi took part in her first climbing event after making international headlines when she competed without a hijab last year, the BBC reports.

The headscarf-wearing 33-year-old finished 41st at the World Cup in Brixen, Italy, missing out on the semi-finals.

In October 2022, she competed in a pageant in South Korea without a hijab.

Rekabi later apologized, saying it had fallen on her by mistake, but a source told BBC Persian she was forced to do it.

The source said the authorities threatened to take away her family’s belongings. In December, the news spread that his family’s villa had been demolished.

Opposition to the mandatory wearing of the Islamic headscarf sparked protests that swept across Iran. The protests were sparked by the death in custody of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman arrested by Tehran’s morality police on September 13 for not wearing a hijab.

Women in this country must cover their hair with a veil or hijab, and their arms and legs must be covered with loose clothing. Also, female athletes must follow a dress code when they officially represent Iran in competitions abroad.

Iranian media said the Ministry of Sports and Youth asked Rekabi to provide a financial guarantee and a house title document before traveling to the competition in Italy, which was also part of the Olympic selection.

This type of arrangement is common for Iranian athletes competing abroad, according to News.ro.