Tehran's Keshvari sports complex bans women from the open-air athletics track from 23 October

The management of Tehran's Keshvari sports complex announced in a notice that from 23 October 2026 female members of the complex will be allowed to use only the indoor athletics hall. With this decision, women runners are shut out of the open-air athletics track of one of the capital's oldest sports complexes, and the complex's athletics facilities are segregated by gender.

The management's notice says women will use the hall "solely and exclusively" for their sporting activities. The notice gives no reason for barring women from the open-air track.

Runners protest gender segregation

A number of female and male runners protested the decision by posting Instagram stories, and some said they would stop training at the complex in protest. Athletes had earlier complained about infrastructure problems at the Keshvari complex and a shortage of proper changing rooms; but instead of fixing these shortcomings, a new restriction was imposed on women. There is also the question of how far the indoor hall meets runners' technical training needs.

The decision was announced amid a public dispute between the Islamic Republic's Ministry of Sport and the Sports Facilities Development and Maintenance Company. Citing "religious, legal and customary rules and standards", the company had earlier announced the closure of the Enghelab and Keshvari complexes until further notice, and the Ministry of Sport had denied the closure. The cancellation of the Kerman half marathon and the security crackdown on the organisers of a 10-kilometre race in Tehran are other recent restrictions on runners, especially women.

Restrictions on women spread

Restricting women in sports venues is part of the government's broader policy of enforcing compulsory hijab and gender segregation. This week, Mohammad Movahedi-Azad, the Islamic Republic's Prosecutor General, threatened to disqualify women lawyers over not wearing the hijab, and the band Palet cancelled its nationwide tour after a ban on performances by its female musician.

From 23 October, women runners in Tehran will have access only to the indoor hall of the Keshvari complex, and the open-air track will be closed to them.