The upcoming Paris Olympics will witness three remarkable Afghan women representing their country despite women athletes facing severe adversity under the Taliban regime. Sprinter Kimia Yousofi and cycling sisters Yulduz and Fariba Hashimi represent Afghanistan in the Paris Olympics. They are determined to showcase the resilience and strength of Afghan women on the global stage.
Kimia Yousofi: Sprinting Against All Odds
Kimia Yousofi, born on May 31, 1996, is a 28-year-old Afghan sprinter specializing in the 100 meters. She holds the Afghan national record of 13.29 seconds and has previously represented Afghanistan in the 2016 Rio Olympics and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where she was the flag-bearer. Following the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021, Yousofi fled to Iran and later found refuge in Australia, where she continued her training. She views her participation in the Paris Olympics as a representation of the “stolen dreams and aspirations” of Afghan women deprived of fundamental rights, particularly education.
“It’s an honor to represent the girls of my homeland once again,” Yousofi said through the Australian Olympic Committee. “I represent the stolen dreams and aspirations of these women. Those who don’t have the authority to make decisions are free human beings. They don’t even have the permission to enter a park.”
Her coach, John Quinn, praises her for her technical improvements and perseverance despite numerous challenges. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has invited her to compete under the Afghan tricolor flag, explicitly excluding any Taliban officials from involvement.
The Hashimi Sisters: Cycling for Change
Yulduz and Fariba Hashimi, aged 24 and 21, respectively, are Afghan cyclists from Faryab, a conservative province where women’s participation in sports was virtually unheard of. Their journey began in 2017 when they secretly entered a local race and won first and second place despite not knowing how to ride a bike. This victory earned them their family’s support and a spot on the national team.
The sisters faced continuous harassment and hostility from their community, yet they persevered, eventually fleeing Afghanistan after the Taliban takeover with help from Italian world road title winner Alessandra Cappellotto. They have since competed in several international events, including the UCI World Gravel Championships in Vicenza, Italy.
Fariba won the 2022 Women’s Road Championships of Afghanistan in Switzerland, while Yulduz secured silver. Their participation in the Paris Olympics is not just a personal achievement but a powerful statement against the Taliban’s ban on women’s sports.
“I am happy to represent a country where women do not have access to basic rights. By participating in the Paris games, I will show the power of Afghan women to the world,” Yulduz said. She hopes to bring joy to Afghan women currently denied education and employment.
A Global Stage for Afghan Women
The IOC has invited a gender-balanced team of six Afghan athletes, three women and three men, to the Paris Olympics. The women will compete in athletics and cycling, while the men will participate in athletics, swimming, and judo. The team will compete under the black, red, and green flag of the former republic of Afghanistan, emphasizing the international community’s support for Afghan athletes over the Taliban regime.
