Iranian climber who competed without hijab met by jubilant crowds in Tehran

Elnaz Rekabi says she did not intend to compete without headscarf amid fears among public over how regime will react

The Iranian competitive climber Elnaz Rekabi has received a hero's welcome on her return to Tehran after competing in South Korea without wearing a headscarf as required of female athletes from the Islamic Republic.

Video shared online showed large crowds at Imam Khomeini international airport terminal outside Tehran despite the 4am arrival time for Rekabi's flight. People clapped and chanted the 33-year-old's name and handed her flowers inside the terminal.