Among all the unpleasantness I’ve been facing as a female cyclist in Iran, that day was one of the hardest and most embarrassing ones to go through. The day that the correspondent of Radio and Television of Iran refused to interview the cyclists because of their gender.
I still have not forgotten the day when my female cyclists told me that with great effort they had been able to persuade an open-minded journalist from the capital to come to the city for a live interview with cyclists.
The girls tried to gather everyone with indescribable joy and happiness, and one day they prepared everybody and even managed a present for their dear guest.
I personally did not trust the Iranian Radio and Television, but I came because of my friends. I wanted to show my support for my city and its cyclists. Some girls came along too, skeptical but hopeful, and I was one of them. The reporter, who had a long beard and an unprejudiced face, treated us all with respect and intimately, and the folks prepared for a live interview that was to be broadcast live on the radio. Suddenly, the reporter's phone rang and he spoke on the phone.
When his call was over, he turned to the girls and said, "I'm sorry, but I was told I’m not allowed to interview girls."
I do not remember the rest of his words, I only remember that his words poured into my heart like hot lead.
We were standing. I was frozen and speechless. He constantly apologized and said that he had no choice and could not interview the girls ...
Everybody was enraged even boys, I stepped away and stared in disbelief. My female friends were angry and frustrated looking for something to say ... That day wrapped up so fast I don’t remember much about it…
...
The reporter left and I never saw a lot of those girls again …
I think to myself there is nothing worse than losing hope and surrender to it ... so I didn’t leave like many and didn’t dare abandon my friends.
It takes a stronger force than a corrupt and misogynistic government to separate me from my cyclist friends and the powerful force of friendship.
