The International Paralympic Committee president yesterday said it was sad that Afghan athletes trapped in Kabul would not be able to compete in the Games in Tokyo and heartbreaking to watch a female athlete's video plea for help in reaching Japan.
"We all have seen the images from the airport in Kabul. It became clear to us right from the beginning that there will be no safe way to try to bring these athletes to Tokyo," IPC chief Andrew Parsons said.
Amid the country's ongoing turmoil, the Afghanistan Paralympic Committee said that their two athletes - taekwondo's Zakia Khudadadi and track athlete Hossain Rasouli - would not be able to attend the Games that start on Tuesday.
In a video message, Khudadadi, 23, made a plea for help as she sought to escape Kabul and revive her shattered dream of becoming the country's first female competitor at the Games. She said that she felt "imprisoned," staying with extended family but unable to go outside with confidence to train, shop or check on others.
Speaking in Farsi, Khudadadi said she felt an additional burden to her relations who did not have enough food to feed their own children.
"The fact that we ourselves have lifted ourselves from this situation, that we have achieved so much, it cannot be taken lightly," she added.
"I have suffered a lot, I don't want my struggle to be in vain and without any results. Help me."
Seeing Khudadadi's video message "is really sad and it really breaks my heart," Parsons said.
The committee would work with the Afghan team to support Khudadadi pursuing her dream again, including possibly competing at the games in Paris in 2024, Parsons added. But now is "too soon" to discuss plans.
Competitors have started arriving for the Tokyo Paralympics but Afghanistan's taekwondo athlete Zakia Khudadadi won't be able to join them. XINHUA, AFP
