Stand With Afghan Women Athletes: A Call for Olympic Solidarity

The Olympics Should Stand With Afghanistan's Women Athletes When the Taliban seized control of Afghanistan in 2021, their oppressive policies quickly came into effect, including prohibiting women and girls from participating in sports publicly. This directive was a blow to the progress that had been made in recent years towards gender equality in sports in the country. As one of Afghanistan's first female Olympians, I have experienced firsthand the challenges and threats that female athletes face in my homeland. As a judo practitioner, I have been forbidden from competing in Afghanistan due to threats from religious extremists and supporters of strict Shariah law. The situation has only worsened for female athletes in the country, who are now subjected to physical abuse and intimidation by the Taliban, making it almost impossible for them to pursue their sporting dreams. However, what is even more disappointing is the lack of support from the international sports community for these courageous women and girls who are fighting for their right to play sports. The recent decision by the International Olympic Committee (I.O.C.) to allow a team representing Afghanistan in the upcoming Paris Games is a missed opportunity to stand in solidarity with these athletes. Instead, the I.O.C. should reconsider and have the athletes compete under the Refugee Olympic Team, sending a powerful message of hope to refugees worldwide. The Afghan team set to compete in Paris consists of three women and three men, meeting the I.O.C.'s gender equality requirement. However, none of the female athletes live or train in Afghanistan, and visiting the country would pose serious risks to their safety. By allowing them to compete under the Afghan flag, the I.O.C. is inadvertently legitimizing the Taliban regime and undermining the Olympic values of inclusivity and non-discrimination. While the I.O.C. has stated that no Taliban officials will be present at the Games, the decision to permit the Afghan team to participate still sends a troubling message. The Olympic Charter highlights the importance of sport as a human right and emphasizes the need to combat all forms of discrimination within the Olympic movement. By allowing the Afghan team to compete, the I.O.C. is failing to adhere to these principles and is turning a blind eye to the plight of Afghan women athletes. There is a precedent for taking a stand against discrimination in sports. In the lead-up to the 2000 Sydney Olympics, the I.O.C. banned the Afghan team due to the Taliban's discriminatory policies against women. This decision was later overturned after the fall of the Taliban, leading to opportunities for athletes like myself to compete in subsequent Olympic Games. As the Paris Olympics draw near, it is crucial for the I.O.C. to prioritize the well-being and rights of Afghan women athletes. By standing with them and ensuring their participation under the Refugee Olympic Team, the I.O.C. can send a powerful message of support and solidarity to all women and girls facing barriers to sports participation around the world. The time to act is now, and the Olympics should not turn a blind eye to the struggles of Afghan women athletes in their pursuit of sporting excellence.