Fariba Hashimi: Afghanistan bike owner who dressed as man to keep away from Taliban wins Asian Games silver medal

Hashimi adopted her sister Yulduz, additionally an overseas bike owner, into the game on the age of 15, regardless of hazard of their dwelling province of Faryab.

“I at all times dressed as a person to go to coaching, sporting two or three totally different masks so ‌folks ⁠wouldn’t recognise or assault me,” Hashimi beforehand told Reuters., external

Hashimi mentioned she must keep away from stones being thrown at her while driving her bike.

Hashimi now lives and trains in Italy thanks to assist from the Italian former international stage champion Alessandra Cappellotto.

Looking again at life in Afghanistan, Hashimi mentioned the Taliban “took away our freedom”.

“This silver medal can present loads of resilience from Afghan girls, and I’m actually completely satisfied,” she mentioned.

“I’m not alone, I do know that behind me hundreds of thousands of ladies, from many international locations, have the identical dream and they’re standing with me.”

Hashimi and her sister competed on the 2024 Paris Olympics and at the moment are setting their sights on the 2028 Los Angeles Games.

“I by no means wish to surrender,” Hashimi mentioned, “and hopefully we are able to see [what can happen] once more in Los Angeles.”