Rouhani urges fostering public hope and joy
EghtesadOnline: It is very important to keep alive hope and vividness among the people from all walks of life, says President Hassan Rouhani.
The Iranian President made the comments on Wednesday during a see-off ceremony held for the Iranian Olympic and Paralympics sportsmen and sportswomen.
Unlike the past, today sportsmanship tends to be an important symbol portraying the power of a nation, Rouhani said.
Today's world is a world of competitions and it is with competitions that people are going to find their real place, IRNA quoted him as saying.
'The Iranian sportsmen and sportswomen attending the Olympic competitions in Rio are going to represent the whole Iranian nation,' he said.
President Rouhani also urged the Iranian sportsmen and sportswomen to take the chance to spread the messages of morality, peace, friendship and coexistence both in the world and in Iran.
Your victories in the sport competitions are going to fill the hearts of the Iranian people with joy, Rouhani told the sportsmen and sportswomen.
'The national pride produced by your victories belongs to all of us,' he said.
In the same way, when we conquer the enemy, our hearts are filled with a particular pride, he said.
'This is going to give the public morale across the country a special boost,' Rouhani said.
President Rouhani also gave each of the Olympic and Paralympics sportsmen and sportswomen and their coaches a pecuniary reward of 100 million Rials (around 3,200 dollars).