Passion

With the outbreak of COVID-19 officially declared on March 15th, 2020, the Iranian Headquarters on the fight against coronavirus enforced the closure of all sports activities, competitions, exercises, and sports clubs in Iran. This unexpected situation and the mandatory home quarantine posed a challenge for athletes whose workouts were an integral part of their daily routines. Elika Shams, a 22-year-old trail runner, demonstrated true ingenuity by transforming her humble balcony into a personal gym for her bodybuilding exercises. Despite the postponement of her planned competition, Elika refused to abandon her training regimen, even amidst such restrictive circumstances. In fact, she found herself dedicating more time to workouts as her daily schedule opened up. Unveiling her unused gym equipment, Elika exemplifies the indomitable spirit and unyielding dedication that drives real athletes towards achieving their goals.