Afghan International Olympic Committee Member Seeks U.S. Help to Evacuate Female Athletes
August 19, 2021
https://www.jpost.com/international/afg ... tes-677123
Introduction:
(Reuters via The Jerusalem Post) Afghanistan's International Olympic Committee (IOC) member Samira Asghari has called on the United States to help evacuate the country's top female athletes and coaching staff "before it is too late" following the Taliban takeover of her nation.
During their 1996-2001 rule, guided by Islamic law, the Taliban stopped women from working. Girls were not allowed to go to school and women had to wear burqas to go out, and then only when accompanied by a male relative.
The Taliban have said they will respect the rights of women within the framework of Islamic law.
However, former basketball captain Asghari said she feared for the safety of female athletes.
"Afghanistan national female athletes, coaches and their entourage need your help, we must get them out of Taliban hands ... Please do something before it is too late," the 27-year-old tweeted on Wednesday, tagging the U.S. basketball federation, U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee and U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan.
Afghan sprinter Kimia Yousofi, 25, sits down during training ahead of the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, at a stadium in Kabul, Afghanistan July 1, 2021
Photo Credit: REUTERS/MOHAMMAD ISMAIL