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Women we Love: Iranian Swimmer Elham Asghari

Back in June, Iranian swimmer Elham Asghari swam 20km in the Caspian Sea to set a new breaststroke record in open sea swimming. She did it in full Islamic dress, adding a cumbersome 6kg to her frame.

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But Iranian authorities are refusing to accept the record, claiming her swimwear defied Islamic law.

Asghari has not accepted the decision lightly, posting a video on YouTube and taking to social media to express her frustration.

"My costume on that day covered all my body, seven people witnessed that, now they object that my costume is religiously illegal," Asghari says in the video. "My 20km record has been held hostage in the hands of people who cannot even swim a distance of 20 metres. I have passed tough days and nights. This incident is implausible for me. Swimming is not exclusive for men: we ladies can do well too!"

Asghari has complained bitterly about having to wear the cumbersome dress code, saying, "Swimming with these swimsuits always hurts my body."

In a week where the Wimbledon ladies champion was publicly humiliated for not being pretty enough, here’s further proof that female sportswomen have to do more than just the hard yards to be accepted as a winner.

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Asghari has received worldwide support for her stand, with more than 125,000 people downloading her video (see below).

You can help support her efforts by liking her Facebook page as well.