Volunteer Brings Afghanistan’s Flag Into the Tokyo Paralympics

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When the Tokyo Paralympics bought underway on August 24, there ended up two athletes lacking from the video games. Hossain Rasouli and Zakia Khudadadi of Afghanistan have been intended to take part in this year’s games, but were being not able to show up at just after the Taliban takeover of the state. In a demonstrate of solidarity to equally the athletes and the persons of Afghanistan, the country’s flag was carried as a result of Olympic Stadium throughout the Opening Ceremonies.

Rasouli, who competes in observe and field, and Khudadadi, who competes in taekwondo, were not able to securely board planes to get to Tokyo. In their spot, a representative from the United Nations Large Commissioner for Refugees held the Afghan flag in the course of the ceremony. “I consider it can be just significant to spotlight due to the fact it is a concept in essence of solidarity and peace that we deliver to the entire world,” stated Andrew Parsons, the president of the Worldwide Paralympic Committee (IPC). “We would like to have them listed here, however it is really not attainable, but they will be below, of course, in spirit.”

Khudadadi was established to make record by remaining the initial female athlete from Afghanistan to take part in the Paralympics. However Khudadai and Rasouli were being not in a position to compete in the qualifying occasions for the game titles due to deficiency of governing administration aid and the COVID-19 pandemic, they were being as wildcards. Just two weeks prior to the opening ceremonies, the IPC released an short article highlighting their participation.

https://www.youtube.com/observe?v=RX7-BwL0pSc

The posting talked about the complications that both athletes faced in hoping to prepare for the game titles with no a lot assist. Rasouli, who dropped his still left arm in a mine blast, primarily trains in his yard or the close by hills. Khudadadi, who very first garnered focus when she gained the 2016 Para-Taekwondo Championships held in Egypt at just 18 many years outdated, was looking ahead to symbolizing her nation. Shortly prior to the video games started, she posted a movie pleading for assistance to get to Tokyo. Sad to say, given the perilous circumstance, it just was not attainable.

Parsons did say that the IPC is prepared to perform with both of those athletes to help their desires and get them to the 2024 Paris Games. But for now, they will be represented by their flag as a way to clearly show that the global community’s feelings are with them and the total country of Afghanistan all through this complicated time.

“It’s some thing that goes way, way, way, way greater than athletics,” reported Parsons. “And we are 1st involved in Afghanistan as a country and with the human beings, specifically the women of that nation.”

h/t: [CBS News]