Former Mr Olympia Hadi Choopan spoke out about this recent controversy ahead of the 2026 Arnold Classic.
There has been plenty of controversy surrounding former 2022 Olympia champion bodybuilder Hadi Choopan about his alleged support of the Iran government. The noise has gotten loud in recent weeks with some even calling for him to pull his name out of the 2026 Arnold Classic. Recently, Choopan shared a post prior to the new year but has now spoken out about this controversy.
Choopan claimed that it was time to break his silence about the matter.
“I have said it hundreds of times and I repeat it again. Officials were not a number for me, and they are not, and I was never affiliated to any governmental entity.”
There have been deaths in Iran in recent weeks. Iranian government have been cracking down on protests city of Rasht in Gilan Province, according to multiple reports. According to CNN, security forces cracked down violently on anti-government protests that were sweeping across Iran. It has been speculated that over 500 protesters have been killed over a two-week stretch in January to begin the year but this exact figure has not been confirmed.
Hadi Choopan Comments On Iran Government
Hadi Choopan shared comments via his Instagram story on Tuesday, translated into English.
“It’s better to break my silence, which I need to explain with respect and clarity. I always called myself a soldier, neither did I claim to be heroes, nor did I claim that I was a hero, but by claiming in the world I said that I was Iranian and I lived in Iran.
And I knew my whole existence from my people and I know. that as I was happy all these years as I was able to…Every word can be misused. And I testify to God that each of these unscrupulous people who tried to destroy me had my place and my reputation, people who left no soil, no dignity and their families lived in the best countries.”
Choopan continued on and shared his condolences to families who have suffered in Iran.
“To the grieving families and honorable people of Iran. I know my human duty, however late, however far, and ahead of everything. My sincere condolences and sympathy. With the families who have lost loved ones, and with the people who share suffering and pain these days.
It is a pain that has engulfed the society. And no one knows himself from these people. Can’t be indifferent to it. I don’t consider myself separate from these people either. And like many families, I consider myself a partner and mourner in this mourning.”
Hadi Choopan is scheduled to be one of the headliners of the 2026 Arnold Classic starting March 6th 2026 in Columbus, Ohio. He finished as the runner-up at the 2025 Mr. Olympia. He is a former Mr. Olympia who expects to be in the running for years to come.
After many call for Choopan to pull out of the Arnold, he wanted to set the record straight and commented on the ongoing situation.
“To the people whose voices have not been heard: Your pain is real, an the demand to be heard, it is the evil right of every human being.
In need of empathy, mutual understanding. Staying away from opportunists and the tendency of not talking to each other is another. And refrain from hasty judgment.
And respect for the trust. To express it, comes with a heavy price these days. Hoping calmer days and with a heart of people.”
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