Dylan Bettencourt
After a harrowing journey from the Taliban-occupied city of Kabul, athletes Zakia Khudadi and Hossain Rasouli have arrived in Tokyo to compete in this summer’s Paralympics.
The athletes looked set to miss out on competing in the games after the militant group took power in Afghanistan earlier this month.
The troubled nation’s flag was paraded at the opening last Tuesday in an act of solidarity.
International Paralympic Committee president Andrew Parsons said the news that the duo would not make it to the games sparked a rescue operation to ensure they get the chance to fulfill their dreams and compete.
“That announcement kick-started a major global operation that led to their safe evacuation from Afghanistan, their recuperation by France, and now their safe arrival in Tokyo,” said Parsons.
Both athletes spent the last week at the National Institute of Sport Expertise and Performance (INSEP) in Paris so they could continue their preparations for the games.
Khudadi will become the first female athlete to compete for Afghanistan since 2004 in the games when she takes part in the women’s 44–49 kilogram weight category in taekwondo on Thursday.
Her compatriot Rasouli will compete in the men’s 40m T47 on Friday.
Afghanistan chef de mission Arian Sadiqi said: “I strongly believe that, through the Paralympic movement and the Paralympic Games, we all can deliver the positive message that peaceful co-existence is best for humanity.”
Image source: @TheGuardian
