The International Paralympic Committee has safely evacuated two Afghanistan Paralympics athletes from the country. They have declined to specify their destination for safety purposes.
Two Taekwondo athletes, Zakia Khudadadi and Hossain Rasouli were supposed to represent their country in the Paralympics 2020. Unfortunately, since the Taliban has taken over Afghanistan, the duo was stuck among thousands of others who are trapped and cannot leave the country.
Earlier, the IPC confirmed that Afghanistan will no longer participate in the Games and that the Afghan flag must be showcased in the opening ceremony by a volunteer only.
IPC spokesperson Craig Spence said,” Efforts have been made to remove them from Afghanistan, they are in a safe place now.”
The Afghanistan contingent will not be participating in the Paralympics games because the focus is now on their well-being rather than the sport. The duo has been through a rough traumatic process. They are undergoing counseling and getting psychological help for the same.
Read More
Zakia Khudadadi was to be the first woman ever to represent Afghanistan in the games and had appealed for help to flee the country since the Taliban took over.
The IPC decided to include the Afghanistan flag at the opening ceremony despite no athletes from the country as an act of solidarity and peace.
