Afghan cyclist Fariba Hashimi wins Asian Games silver while training disguised as a man
Quick Look
Afghan cyclist Fariba Hashimi, 23, won silver in the women's road race at the Asian Games, revealing she trained in Afghanistan disguised as a man to avoid persecution, and hopes to inspire Afghan women and return to ride in Kabul despite Taliban rule.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Fariba Hashimi fled Afghanistan in 2021 after the Taliban takeover, relocating to Italy to pursue her cycling career. She competed in the Asian Games while representing Afghanistan in exile.
The easy part for Fariba Hashimi was winning a silver medal in the women's cycling road race at the Asian Games.
The nearly impossible part for the cyclist from Afghanistan was trying to train in her country. To do that, she dressed as a man in a place where women have few rights.
"All the time when I was going to training I was dressing as a guy," she said.
She said she also hid her face to avoid being recognised.
"Because sometimes when they recognised me, they were trying to throw … stone[s] or hitting me," she said.
Hashimi, who is 23, won silver overnight AEST in a time of 2 hours, 50 minutes, 5 seconds, which marked another leg in a journey that began in 2021 when she left Afghanistan, escaping to Italy with the help of former road racing world champion Alessandra Cappellotto.
"In 2021, when the Taliban moved into my country, I escaped my country because I wanted to follow my dream," she said.
"I want to show the Afghanistan women in the world that … we can have an opportunity."
Hashimi talked about having many dreams for women in Afghanistan, dreams for herself and dreams that might take time to be realised.
"I'm really, really happy and I'm full of emotion. I don't know how I can explain it for you," she said.
"I hope one day I come back in my country and ride the streets of Kabul — and riding with the women side by side to share the same passion.
"And I hope in the future changing some things.
"I think we are really tired of the situation of our country and I hope the Taliban is watching. I know how much one woman can be powerful, and that's why Taliban is scared [of] women."
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Fariba Hashimi will continue to advocate for women's rights in Afghanistan through her platform as an athlete
Likely · Within months
Her story will inspire other Afghan women to pursue sports despite societal restrictions
Possible · Within months
Open Questions
- Will Fariba Hashimi be able to return to Afghanistan safely?
- What specific changes does she hope to see in Afghanistan regarding women's rights?
- How will her story impact international perception of the Taliban's rule?