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IPC stated that Zakia Khudadadi and Hossain Rasouli, who were evacuated from Afghanistan to France last weekend, have arrived in Tokyo.
The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) said on Saturday that two Afghan athletes have arrived in Tokyo to participate in the Paralympics.
IPC stated that the withdrawal of Zakia Khudadadi and Hossain Rasouli from a country controlled by the Taliban to France last weekend was a “major global operation”.
Committee Chairman Andrew Parsons said in a statement: “Zakia and Hussein continue to express their absolute desire to participate in the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics.”
“[They] They are now realizing their dreams in Tokyo, sending a strong message of hope to many others around the world,” he added.
According to IPC, the two arrived at the Tokyo Paralympic Village on Saturday night after spending a week at a training center of the French Ministry of Sports in Paris.
Khudadadi will participate in the women’s taekwondo K44-49 kg competition on September 2nd, while Rasouli will participate in the men’s 400m T47 track and field event the next day.
Earlier this month, Afghanistan quickly fell into the hands of the Taliban, causing the two athletes to be trapped among tens of thousands of people and unable to leave the country.
At the opening ceremony on Tuesday, the Afghan flag appeared in a symbolic manner and was carried by a volunteer.
IPC said on Wednesday that Khudadadi and Rasouli have safely left Afghanistan but will not participate in the competition because the focus is on their health.
Parsons said on Saturday: “We have always known that both athletes have the opportunity to participate in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, which is why the Afghan flag was displayed at the opening ceremony on Tuesday.”
He added: “Our top priority is always the health and well-being of the two athletes.”
Parsons said that learning that the two could not go to Tokyo as planned “broke the hearts of all those involved in the Paralympic sports, and both athletes were hit hard.”
Parsons added: “This announcement launched a major global operation that led to their safe evacuation from Afghanistan, recovery in France, and now they arrived safely in Tokyo.”
Chelsey Gotell, chairman of the IPC Athletes Committee, welcomed them in a statement provided by IPC.
“I represent 4,403 Paralympic athletes participating in the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games,” she said. “I welcome Zakia and Hussein to the Paralympic Village. This is their home for the next 9 days as a The community, we support them 100%.”
The Tokyo Paralympics was held under strict coronavirus rules and was postponed for a year due to the pandemic, and it was basically held behind closed doors.
In Afghanistan, the Taliban promised a more moderate rule than when they first took power from 1996 to 2001.
But many Afghans worry that their cruel interpretation of Sharia law will repeat itself.
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