Because she went to training, Maryam (editor’s note: name changed) was beaten up by the Taliban and suffered bruises and bruises. Sport is strictly forbidden for girls and women in Afghanistan, and the radical Islamic rulers are threatening draconian punishments. For those who, like Maryam, have found their passion in sport, there is only one way out: to flee their homeland. Nevertheless, some athletes all over the world have one goal: They want to be at the 2024 Summer Games in Paris.
Competitive athletes in exile
“It’s important that Afghan athletes take part in the Olympic Games,” Friba Rezayee told DW. In 2004 she was one of the first women to represent Afghanistan at the Olympics. However, the conditions for their possible successors are extremely difficult: “Hundreds have fled, many are currently stranded as stateless people in different countries.” In order to improve their situation, she wants to establish a direct line to the International Olympic Committee. In an open letter to IOC President Bach, she demands that Afghan athletes be able to compete in the summer games without the Taliban having a say.
2004 as a judoka at the Olympic Games in Athens: Friba Rezayee
That’s where the crux lies: “According to the rules of the Olympic Charter, the selection and sending of the Afghan athletes for the upcoming summer games are the responsibility of the Afghan National Olympic Committee,” the IOC said in response to a DW query. However, Rezayee is convinced that the Afghan NOK would be controlled by the Taliban. There is therefore no chance for a refugee athlete to compete in the Olympics under the Afghan flag. The only alternative is the IOC refugee team. But places are limited here: “At the moment, the IOC is supporting ten athletes from Afghanistan in preparing for Paris 2024,” says Lausanne, “most of them are training abroad with the help of the NOK of their host countries”.
IOC threatens to be expelled
However, as things stand, these ten could also be the only Afghan participants in Paris 2024, because the Afghan athletes are in the air. The IOC is trying to use political pressure to change things for the better. The Executive Committee “strongly condemned” the discrimination against girls and women in Afghanistan and at its last meeting in March threatened Afghanistan and Iran with an Olympic exclusion should the situation not improve. However, sanctions have not yet followed. The IOC said it was “premature to decide.”
For activist Rezayee, the matter is clear: “The IOC must block the Afghan NOK. Period.” It has been proven that women’s rights played no role for the Taliban. “You are violating human rights as well as the Olympic Charter.” There can only be a return “when the discrimination stops and all girls and women have unhindered access to sports and training.” This coincides with the demands of the IOC.
It’s hard to imagine that happening in the foreseeable future. Rezayee is therefore promoting more support. Then the Afghan athletes and coaches in exile would be able to take matters into their own hands. “However, participating in the Olympics alone will not solve the problem,” she says. The IOC should have a long-term strategy to help Afghan women athletes.