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Associated Press
SYDNEY (AP) — Olympic sprinter Kimia Yousofi will carry the Afghan flag at the opening ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics and compete in the 100 meters before the Taliban regain control of their country. to watch over from afar.
On Wednesday, the Australian Olympic Committee announced that Yousofi and Ahmad Abasy, a taekwondo medalist at the Asian Games and an activist for women's inclusion in sports, have recently arrived in Australia on his 5th anniversary linked to the Olympic movement. said he was part of one Afghan family.
"It's been a long road for me, but I'm so happy to be here," Yusofie said in her statement. "I'm essentially starting a new life here."
Arriving with her mother and one of her three siblings, Yusofie said she was in Afghanistan, the International Olympic Committee. Our refugee team is aiming to compete in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Yusofi said she was living in Iran when she was selected for the Afghanistan team of the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics. She had her flag up at the opening ceremony. She received the same honor last year in Tokyo and, despite another transfer, hopes to get another chance. I'm really looking forward to going," she said. "I'm definitely going to compete."
She also thanked those who helped her family resettle and her two brothers said he was still looking for a visa for
This group of Olympic-linked female footballers resettled in Australia last year after the Taliban took control as US troops withdrew from Kabul after 20 years of war. joined more than 100 Afghan players, including cricketers and
Monday marked her one year anniversary since the Taliban took over the Afghan capital. Former armed groups struggle for control and remain internationally isolated, while the economic downturn is pushing millions more Afghans into poverty.
The Taliban-led government has also imposed restrictions on girls' and women's access to education and work, although it initially promised the opposite. Women are prohibited from wearing it in public and must cover themselves from head to toe so that only their eyes are visible.
Abbacy, who has competed internationally and has been a taekwondo coach, said girls and women in his country were "denied the right to play the sport." .
"This is a huge loss for Afghanistan and world sport," said Abbacy. “Afghan girls have great talent in sports and are making important achievements that should not be ignored.
“Afghan girls should actively participate in international competitions. I will see one of the Afghan girls... win a medal and I will fight for their rights."
The Australian Olympic Committee has worked with the Home Office to Securing visas and flights for Afghan families and working with sponsors to help them financially and assist with accommodation and employment.
"The stress and uncertainty during this time has been immense for the families involved," he said in a statement, AOC Chief Executive Matt Carroll. "These brave people have endured grave hardships. It is a proud moment for the Australian Olympic Movement to have them here, safe and calm."
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