Afghan Sisters Shine in Olympic Women’s Road Race, Spotlighting Gender Equality
Afghan sisters Yulduz and Fariba Hashimi, representing Afghanistan’s pre-Taliban flag, lead the peloton in the Olympic women’s road race, promoting gender equality in sports.
Paris, Bollywood Fever: Two Afghan sisters, dressed in the black, red, and green of Afghanistan’s pre-Taliban flag, made a notable entrance in the Paris suburbs during the Olympic women’s road race on Sunday. Yulduz and Fariba Hashimi, part of a six-athlete team sent by Afghanistan’s Olympic Committee-in-exile, highlighted the presence of a gender-equal team comprising three men and three women.
As the race neared the capital, the Hashimi sisters rode near the head of the peloton, with Fariba taking second place as they entered the city limits. The Taliban, having replaced the old Afghan flag with a white one bearing an Islamic oath in black letters, saw their discarded colors prominently displayed on the Hashimis’ uniforms. The sisters fled Afghanistan in 2021 following the Taliban takeover.
In an interview with France 24 before the race, 21-year-old Fariba expressed her hope that her participation in the Paris Olympics would challenge the notion that women and girls have no place in professional sports. “I will try to do it for my people, to show that cycling is something nice that everyone can do, not just the men but women as well,” she said.
Since seizing power in August 2021, the Taliban have enforced restrictive measures on women, closing girls’ high schools, imposing travel restrictions without a male guardian, and limiting access to parks and gyms. Despite their claims of respecting women’s rights within their interpretation of Islamic law and local customs, their actions have significantly curtailed women’s freedoms.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) confirmed that no Taliban officials were allowed at the Games. Both the head of Afghanistan’s national Olympic committee recognized by the IOC and its secretary general are currently in exile.
The Hashimi sisters’ performance at the Olympics serves as a powerful statement against the suppression of women in sports and a beacon of hope for gender equality in Afghanistan.
Also Read Latest Sports News, Hong Kong’s Olympic Champion Vivian Kong Retires from Fencing to Pursue New Career
Torri Huske Shines at Paris Olympics with Second Gold and World Record Performance
Jade Carey Wins Olympic Bronze in Vault, Fulfilling Long-Awaited Redemption
