Discus medal ceremony

[peanut]

The Duchess of Cambridge presented the medals and I wondered why she didn't shake hands with the Iranian who won the silver medal? She didn't extend her hand and neither did he, so it must have been pre-arranged not to shake hands.

Does anyone know why this was?

 

[teapot]

Cultural custom - it's a sign of disrespect for middle eastern men to shake a woman's hand