Afghanistan Female Athletes at Olympics Paris 2024
Today, Afghanistan women and girls have been forced off the courts, away from tracks and out of gyms.
In recent years, Afghan women have faced severe restrictions, including a ban on sports. Despite this, six resilient Afghan female athletes will represent the Refugee Olympic Team at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Here is their journeys, showcasing their determination and the transformative power of sports in overcoming adversity.
In recent years, Afghan women have faced severe restrictions, including a ban on sports. Despite this, six resilient Afghan female athletes will represent the Refugee Olympic Team at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Here is their journeys, showcasing their determination and the transformative power of sports in overcoming adversity.
Zakia Khudadadi, born in 1998, will compete in the para taekwondo competition at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Born on September 29, 1998, Zakia Khudadadi is a prominent Afghan Taekwondo athlete known for her international achievements.
Zakia is a symbol of determination and strength, serving as a role model for Afghan women. Despite significant restrictions, Afghan girls continue to achieve their sports goals through hard work and determination. International support can help sustain their efforts and future successes.
Born on September 29, 1998, Zakia Khudadadi is a prominent Afghan Taekwondo athlete known for her international achievements.
- She won a gold medal at the 2023 European Para Taekwondo Championships, showcasing her exceptional abilities and determination.
- Zakia was the first female Paralympian from Afghanistan to compete in the Tokyo 2020 Summer Paralympics, overcoming numerous obstacles.
- The International Olympic Committee has decided that Afghanistan will participate in the 2024 Paris Olympics with three women and three men, promoting gender equality and supporting Afghan athletes.
Zakia is a symbol of determination and strength, serving as a role model for Afghan women. Despite significant restrictions, Afghan girls continue to achieve their sports goals through hard work and determination. International support can help sustain their efforts and future successes.
Fariba Hashimi, born in 2003, will compete in the Cycling Road competition at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Fariba Hashemi, born in 1999 in Maimana, Faryab province, Afghanistan, developed a passion for cycling early on despite limited support for female athletes. She studied sports sciences and achieved significant success in national and international cycling competitions, representing Afghanistan and winning various awards.
Her efforts have raised the status of women in Afghan sports and garnered global attention. Despite facing many challenges, she persevered with strong determination.
Fariba aims to improve women's cycling in Afghanistan and advance internationally. She works on projects to promote cycling among Afghan women and is recognized as an inspiring role model for young athletes. Through her social activities, she advocates for greater support for women's sports.
Fariba Hashemi, born in 1999 in Maimana, Faryab province, Afghanistan, developed a passion for cycling early on despite limited support for female athletes. She studied sports sciences and achieved significant success in national and international cycling competitions, representing Afghanistan and winning various awards.
Her efforts have raised the status of women in Afghan sports and garnered global attention. Despite facing many challenges, she persevered with strong determination.
Fariba aims to improve women's cycling in Afghanistan and advance internationally. She works on projects to promote cycling among Afghan women and is recognized as an inspiring role model for young athletes. Through her social activities, she advocates for greater support for women's sports.
Kamia Yousufi, Born in 1996, will compete in 100 meters competition at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Kimia Yousofi, an Afghan sprinter, began her athletic career at a young age and quickly advanced in sprinting.
She has achieved notable success in various national and international competitions, including:
- Participation in national and international events, such as the Asian Championships and the Islamic Solidarity Games, where she earned distinguished positions.
- Competing in the Paris Olympics, becoming the first Afghan woman to participate in sprinting at these games.
Kimia followed rigorous training programs and received special guidance and support for these competitions. As a pioneer in women's sports in Afghanistan, she has significantly influenced the motivation and participation of women in sports.
Recognized as a role model for Afghan youth and athletes, her global successes have raised awareness and support for women's sports. By participating in the 2024 Paris Olympics, Kimia Yousofi represents Afghanistan and serves as an ambassador for women's sports worldwide. Her efforts to advance and promote women's sports have inspired many within and beyond Afghanistan.
Kimia Yousofi, an Afghan sprinter, began her athletic career at a young age and quickly advanced in sprinting.
She has achieved notable success in various national and international competitions, including:
- Participation in national and international events, such as the Asian Championships and the Islamic Solidarity Games, where she earned distinguished positions.
- Competing in the Paris Olympics, becoming the first Afghan woman to participate in sprinting at these games.
Kimia followed rigorous training programs and received special guidance and support for these competitions. As a pioneer in women's sports in Afghanistan, she has significantly influenced the motivation and participation of women in sports.
Recognized as a role model for Afghan youth and athletes, her global successes have raised awareness and support for women's sports. By participating in the 2024 Paris Olympics, Kimia Yousofi represents Afghanistan and serves as an ambassador for women's sports worldwide. Her efforts to advance and promote women's sports have inspired many within and beyond Afghanistan.
Manizha Talash Born in 2002, will compete in the Breaking competition at the Paris 2024 Olympics From IOC Refugee Olympic Team.
Manizha Talash, 21, discovered breaking five years ago through a Facebook video of a young man spinning on his head. Inspired, she joined a breaking club in Kabul, becoming the only girl among 55 breakers.
Despite a difficult life in Afghanistan, Talash found solace in breaking, calling it her "pill to get better." Facing a conservative society, she encountered disapproval, death threats, and even a bombing attempt on her club.
After the Taliban took over in August 2021, Talash and her crew fled Afghanistan. Three days after the takeover, they escaped to Pakistan, living there illegally for a year before moving to Spain, where they were granted refugee status.
Now a member of the Refugee Olympic Team, Talash trains in Madrid and looks forward to competing at the Paris Olympics. Despite the hardships, she remains hopeful about returning to Afghanistan and representing her homeland in the future. Talash sees her participation in the Olympics as a victory in itself.
Manizha Talash, 21, discovered breaking five years ago through a Facebook video of a young man spinning on his head. Inspired, she joined a breaking club in Kabul, becoming the only girl among 55 breakers.
Despite a difficult life in Afghanistan, Talash found solace in breaking, calling it her "pill to get better." Facing a conservative society, she encountered disapproval, death threats, and even a bombing attempt on her club.
After the Taliban took over in August 2021, Talash and her crew fled Afghanistan. Three days after the takeover, they escaped to Pakistan, living there illegally for a year before moving to Spain, where they were granted refugee status.
Now a member of the Refugee Olympic Team, Talash trains in Madrid and looks forward to competing at the Paris Olympics. Despite the hardships, she remains hopeful about returning to Afghanistan and representing her homeland in the future. Talash sees her participation in the Olympics as a victory in itself.
Nigara Shaheen, born in 1993, will compete in Judo competition at the Paris 2024 Olympics From IOC Refugee Olympic Team.
Born in Afghanistan, Nigara is a judoka who competes in the -70kg category. She took up judo when she was 11, living as a refugee in Peshawar, Pakistan, as practicing martial arts was a family tradition.
She has a master’s degree in international trade from the Ural Federal University in Ekaterinburg. Since September 2022, she has been living in Canada, where she studies and trains.
As a member of the IJF Refugee Team, she participated in the Düsseldorf Grand Slam in 2020 and the Kazan Grand Slam in 2021. She was a member of the IOC Refugee Olympic Team Tokyo 2020 in the individual and mixed team events.
Born in Afghanistan, Nigara is a judoka who competes in the -70kg category. She took up judo when she was 11, living as a refugee in Peshawar, Pakistan, as practicing martial arts was a family tradition.
She has a master’s degree in international trade from the Ural Federal University in Ekaterinburg. Since September 2022, she has been living in Canada, where she studies and trains.
As a member of the IJF Refugee Team, she participated in the Düsseldorf Grand Slam in 2020 and the Kazan Grand Slam in 2021. She was a member of the IOC Refugee Olympic Team Tokyo 2020 in the individual and mixed team events.
Yulduz Hashimi, born in 2000, will compete in the Cycling Road competition at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Born in 1992 in Maimana, Faryab province, Afghanistan, Yaldoz Hashemi developed a passion for cycling from a young age. With family and local coach support, she pursued her athletic interests and studied sports sciences or sports management.
Yaldoz has competed internationally, earning recognition and prestigious awards for Afghanistan. Her efforts have promoted women's cycling and raised awareness about supporting female athletes in Afghanistan. Despite challenges like limited sports facilities, her determination led to significant successes.
Focused on advancing women's cycling, Yaldoz works on projects to develop women's sports and increase opportunities for girls and women in Afghanistan. She is recognized as a pioneering role model, breaking cultural and social barriers to encourage female participation in sports.
Born in 1992 in Maimana, Faryab province, Afghanistan, Yaldoz Hashemi developed a passion for cycling from a young age. With family and local coach support, she pursued her athletic interests and studied sports sciences or sports management.
Yaldoz has competed internationally, earning recognition and prestigious awards for Afghanistan. Her efforts have promoted women's cycling and raised awareness about supporting female athletes in Afghanistan. Despite challenges like limited sports facilities, her determination led to significant successes.
Focused on advancing women's cycling, Yaldoz works on projects to develop women's sports and increase opportunities for girls and women in Afghanistan. She is recognized as a pioneering role model, breaking cultural and social barriers to encourage female participation in sports.
