Afghan Paralympians Arrive in Tokyo After Evacuation From Kabul

Two Paralympians arrived in Tokyo on Saturday evening after their safe evacuation from Afghanistan, the International Paralympic Committee announced.

Zakia Khudadadi, a taekwondo athlete, and Hossain Rasouli, a track athlete, left Afghanistan last weekend and spent the week in Paris, at the National Institute of Sport Expertise and Performance. The news follows an announcement from the Afghanistan Paralympic Committee that the athletes would not be able to travel to the Games amid the country’s turmoil.

“Twelve days ago we were informed that the Afghan Paralympic Team could not travel to Tokyo, a move that broke the hearts of all involved in the Paralympic Movement and left both athletes devastated,” said IPC President Andrew Parsons in a news release. “That announcement kickstarted a major global operation that led to their safe evacuation from Afghanistan, their recuperation by France, and now their safe arrival in Tokyo.”

Khudadadi and Rasouli were originally scheduled to arrive in Tokyo on August 17, and Khudadadi filmed a video pleading for help to reach the Games, where she would be her country’s first female competitor since 2004.

Parsons added that the IPC will continue to work with Khudadadi and Rasouli to make sure they receive the care and support they need during the games.

“Our number one priority has and always will be the health and well-being of both athletes,” Parsons said. “Over the last 12 days, Zakia and Hossain have continued to express their absolute desire to come and compete at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.”

Khudadadi is set to compete on Sept. 2 in the women’s K44-49kg weight category in taekwondo. Rasouli was originally set to participate in the men’s 100 meter T47 on Saturday, but will instead compete in the men’s 400 meter T47 on Sept. 3.