The story: Two female Iranian taekwondokas—one fighting for the Refugee Team, the other for Iran—have clashed in the Tokyo Olympics in what has come to surpass a mere sports competition. As reactions continue to pour in from Iranians, the fight has come to symbolize a lose-lose moment for the nation, with fierce criticism against a political establishment accused of pushing out and shunning national heroes for ideological reasons.

The coverage: The rare fight in Tokyo on July 25 saw Kimia Alizadeh from the Refugee Team facing her fellow countrywoman, Nahid Kiani...