A delegation representing Afghanistan competed at the 2020 Summer Paralympics in Tokyo, Japan, from 24 August to 5 September 2021 which was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Afghan delegation consisted of two athletes; Zakia Khudadadi in taekwondo and Hossain Rasouli in para-athletics. The former became Afghanistan's first female Paralympian.
| Afghanistan at the 2020 Summer Paralympics | |
|---|---|
.svg) | |
| IPC code | AFG |
| NPC | Afghanistan Paralympic Committee |
| in Tokyo | |
| Competitors | 2 in 2 sports |
| Flag bearer | Games volunteer |
| Medals |
|
| Summer Paralympics appearances (overview) | |
After the Fall of Kabul on 15 August 2021, Afghanistan's participation was left uncertain due to the Taliban takeover of the country, but its athletes were later successfully evacuated. The delegation used the national symbols of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, the internationally recognized government which administered the country prior to the Taliban takeover.
Background
editAfghanistan's participation was made uncertain by the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan following the Fall of Kabul on 15 August 2021. The organizers of the Paralympics initially announced that Afghanistan would be unable to compete.[1][2]
Afghanistan was represented in the Parade of Nations and the Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) was invited to send a representative as a "sign of solidarity" despite the country's formal withdrawal.[3] However the UNHCR declined to name a representative and a volunteer served as Afghanistan's flagbearer instead.[4]
On 28 August 2021, Zakia Khudadadi and Hossain Rasouli arrived in Tokyo after taking a flight en route from Kabul to Paris.[5][6] It was also announced that Afghanistan would be able to compete in the Paralympics.[7] The President of International Paralympic Committee, Andrew Parsons, revealed that both of the Afghan athletes would not be available for interviews and also insisted that permission has been granted to them to skip the usual press conferences.[8]
Athletics
editPara-athlete Hossain Rasouli was supposed to compete in the men's 100 metres T47 but arrived too late. He was entered in the men's long jump instead. Although he had competed in long jump before, the 2020 Paralympics marks the first time Rasouli took part in long jump in a major competition.[9]
| Athlete | Event | Final | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Result | Rank | ||
| Hossain Rasouli | Men's long jump T47 | 4.46 | 13 |
Taekwondo
edit| Athlete | Event | Round of 16 | Quarterfinals | Semifinals | Repechage 1 | Repechage 2 | Final / BM | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Opposition Result |
Opposition Result |
Opposition Result |
Opposition Result |
Opposition Result |
Opposition Result |
Rank | ||
| Zakia Khudadadi | Women's 49 kg |  Isakova (UZB)L 12–17 |
did not advance |  Marchuk (UKR)L 34–48 |
did not advance | |||
References
edit- ^ "'Heartbreaking': Afghan Paralympic athletes to miss Tokyo 2020". Al Jazeera. 16 August 2021. Retrieved 17 August 2021.
- ^ "Afghanistan's first female Paralympian, now hiding from the Taliban, hasn't 'lost hope'". ABC News. 17 August 2021. Retrieved 18 August 2021.
- ^ "Afghanistan Flag to Be Displayed in Paralympic Ceremony". Voice of America. Associated Press. 23 August 2021. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
- ^ Berkeley, Geoff (24 August 2021). "New Zealand to miss Paralympic Opening Ceremony due to COVID-19 fears". Inside the Games. Dunsar Media Company Limited. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
- ^ "Afghanistan's Paralympians safely evacuated, says International Paralympic Committee". The Indian Express. 26 August 2021. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
- ^ "Afghanistan's Zakia Khudadadi and Hossain Rasouli land in Tokyo to compete at Games". Free Press Journal. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
- ^ "Afghan Paralympians to compete in Tokyo after evacuation". Al Jazeera. 28 August 2021. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
- ^ "Afghan athletes arrive in Tokyo". International Paralympic Committee. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
- ^ "Afghan sprinter tries long jump after late arrival". ESPN.com. Associated Press. 31 August 2021. Retrieved 2 September 2021.