Taekwondo fighter Zakia Khudadadi and runner Hossain Rasouli were flown in via Paris.
Zakia Khudadadi will compete in Teakwondo
For the first time in 17 years, a surprising athlete from Afghanistan takes part in the Paralympics. Taekwondo fighter Zakia Khudadadi and her compatriot Hossain Rasouli were warmly welcomed in Tokyo on Saturday evening (local time), announced the International Paralympic Committee (IPC). IPC President Andrew Parsons was also present at the ceremony in the Olympic Village.
Khudadadi competes next Thursday in the Taekwondo class from 44 to 49 kilos, her compatriot Rasouli on Friday in the preliminaries over 400 meters. According to the IPC, the two Afghan para-athletes had previously been brought from their homeland to Paris. There they were given psychological support.
The athletes in focus
“Our number one priority has always been and always will be the health and wellbeing of the two athletes,” Parsons assured. The Afghan athletes have repeatedly confirmed their “absolute desire” to compete in the Paralympics in Tokyo.
The day before the start of the Games, the IPC announced that there would be no Afghan athletes in Japan due to the Taliban's takeover. The flag of Afghanistan was carried into the stadium at the opening ceremony last Tuesday, however, “as a sign of solidarity”.
