Afghan athletes Zakia Khudadadi and Hossain Rasouli realized their dreams

On Saturday (28 August) evening, the Afghan athletes Zakia Khudadadi and Hossain Rasouli
were warmly welcomed to the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Village by IPC President Andrew
Parsons and IPC Athletes’ Council Chairperson Chelsey Gotell.
Following their safe evacuation from Afghanistan last weekend, the two athletes spent the week
in Paris, France, at the National Institute of Sport Expertise and Performance (INSEP), the
French sports ministry’s high performance training centre. On Friday (27 August) evening the
pair boarded an 11-hour flight from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport to Tokyo Haneda Airport
before being transported to the Paralympic Village.
Andrew Parsons, IPC President, said: “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. 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.
“We always knew there was a remote chance both athletes could participate at Tokyo 2020
which is why the Afghan flag was paraded at Tuesday’s Opening Ceremony. Like all the athletes
here at Tokyo 2020, we never gave up hope and to now have Zakia and Hossain in the
Paralympic Village alongside 4,403 other Paralympians shows the remarkable power of sport to
bring people together in peace.
“Our number one priority has and always will be the health and well-being of both athletes.
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.
“Thanks to the outstanding efforts of several Governments, the Centre for Sport and Human
Rights, Human Rights for All, the French Paralympic Committee, the British Paralympic
Association, World Taekwondo, Zakia and Hossain are now in Tokyo to fulfil their dreams,
sending out a strong message of hope to many others around the world.
“We will continue to work closely with Zakia, Hossain and the team’s Chef de Mission to ensure
they receive all the care and support they need both during and after the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic
Games.”
Chelsey Gotell, IPC Athletes’ Council Chairperson, said: “On behalf of their fellow 4,403
Paralympic athletes competing at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, I welcome Zakia and
Hossain to the Paralympic Village. This is their home for the next nine days and as a community
we are 100 per cent behind them.
“Both athletes have been extremely clear that after years of training they wanted to compete on
the biggest stage of all, the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. The fact that so many authorities
have combined to make this possible is truly wonderful.
“Since leaving Afghanistan last week they have received excellent care from the French
authorities and the team at INSEP. Throughout and going forward the most important thing is
Zakia and Hossain’s physical and mental wellbeing. We have been reassured that they arrive in
Tokyo ready to do what they have trained years for.