When the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan in 2021, one of its first actions was to bar women and girls from participating in sports publicly.
Female athletes in Afghanistan today face similar threats from the Taliban, including physical abuse and raids on their homes.
The most recent example is the International Olympic Committee’s decision to allow a team representing Afghanistan in the Paris Games.
It should let the athletes — most of whom live in exile — compete on the Refugee Olympic Team, which would send a message of hope to refugees around the world.
But none of the three women representing Afghanistan — in athletics and cycling — live and train in the country, nor could they visit without risking their lives.
Persons:
—
Organizations:
Taliban, Paris, Refugee Olympic, Afghan
Locations:
Afghanistan