Iranian athlete Bahman Golbarnezhad was involved in a “serious accident” during a race, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) confirmed.
The 48-year-old was competing in the men's cycling C4/C5 road race at the games in Brazil.
The cyclist was involved in a crash around the first section of the Grumari loop, a mountainous stretch of the course.
The Iranian National Paralympic Committee (NPC) confirmed he has now died.
Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Iran's Bahman Golbarnezhad, who tragically died
after a crash in today's C4-5 road race.
— British Cycling (@BritishCycling) September 17, 2016
A statement from the IPC said the cyclist was given emergency treatment at the scene.
He was en route to hospital when he suffered a cardiac arrest, and the ambulance was diverted nearby Unimed Rio Hospital in Barra.
He passed away soon after arrival. His family, who are still in Iran, have been informed of his death
Iran’s NPC said in a statement: “Regretfully, I.R.IRAN NPC announces that Mr. Bahman Golbarnezhad, passed away because of his accident during the competition.”
An investigation has been launched into the circumstances leading up to the athlete’s death.
Tributes have begun to pour in from the cycling community, with British Cycling writing: “Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Iran's Bahman Golbarnezhad, who tragically died after a crash in today's C4-5 road race.”
Brian Cookson, Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) President, said:
“I am devastated to hear about the death of Iranian rider Bahman Golbarnezhad.
“Our thoughts are with his family and friends, and the NPC of Iran to whom we offer our most sincere condolences.”
Mr Golbarnezhad was the country’s sole cyclist, and came 14th in the time-trial on Wednesday.
We extend our deepest sympathies to our colleagues of the Iranian NPC on the tragic passing of cyclist Golbarnezhad in competition today.
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