Sisters Brave Taliban to Pursue Olympic Cycling Dream

Fariba Hashimi and her sister Yulduz are on an extraordinary journey from rural Afghanistan to the Olympic Games in Paris, despite facing immense challenges imposed by the Taliban’s strict rules against women in sports.

Raised in Faryab, one of Afghanistan’s most conservative provinces, Fariba, 21, and Yulduz, 24, discovered cycling by chance. With borrowed bikes and disguised identities, they defied cultural norms to compete in local races, often under threat and harassment. Their success drew attention, eventually forcing them to practice in secret.

In 2021, the Taliban’s resurgence intensified, prompting the sisters to flee Afghanistan. They found refuge in Italy through contacts in the cycling community, joining a team and receiving professional training for the first time. The move meant leaving behind their family and homeland, a sacrifice they describe with deep emotion.

Their Olympic aspirations faced uncertainty as the Taliban’s ban on women’s sports jeopardized Afghanistan’s participation in the Games. However, efforts by the International Olympic Committee led to a breakthrough: a special Afghan team, gender-equal and representing exiled athletes, was formed for Paris 2024, including Fariba and Yulduz.

“This is our dream come true,” Fariba expresses gratefully. “Despite losing our rights, we aim to show the world Afghan women’s potential.”

Currently based at the World Cycling Centre in Switzerland, funded by the UCI, the sisters prepare diligently for the Olympic road race. The state-of-the-art facility contrasts sharply with their humble beginnings on Afghan dirt roads, yet their determination remains steadfast.

“We support each other,” Yulduz explains. “Our achievements belong to Afghan women. I go to the Olympics for them.”

Their journey symbolizes resilience against adversity, embodying hope and inspiration for Afghan women amid challenging times.

Re-reported from the article originally published in BBC.