Afghan cyclist wins silver, defies Taliban restrictions
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Fariba Hashimi, an Afghan cyclist from Faryab province, won a silver medal in women’s cycling at the Asian Games near Nagoya, Japan.
To pursue her dream of racing, Hashimi disguised herself as a man during training in Kabul, Afghanistan, fearing attacks when recognized. After the Taliban regained power in 2021 and restricted women’s rights, Hashimi and her sister, Yulduz, also a professional cyclist, fled Afghanistan with help from former world champion Alessandra Cappellotto.
The sisters arrived in Italy where they have continued to train, though Hashimi currently maintains her own bicycle and doesn't have a team. She hopes future generations of Afghan athletes will compete without fear. Hashimi views her medal as a symbol of Afghan women’s resilience, noting that over 2.2 million girls in Afghanistan are currently excluded from education, and only 4.8 to 6 percent of Afghan women are employed.
Hashimi described facing violence when training openly, recalling people throwing stones at her. Despite the hardships, she expressed joy at her accomplishment and a desire to one day freely cycle the streets of Kabul alongside other women. She believes the Taliban fear the power of women, which is why they impose such strict restrictions. Hashimi and her sister are now preparing to compete in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
