Meet Yulduz And Fariba, Afghan Refugee Sisters Pedalling To Olympics

Afghani sisters Yulduz and Fariba have overcome countless obstacles to be able to stand where they are today. The world is indeed cruel to women, which is why sometimes we need a reminder that despite the challenges, it is possible to fight to be where you want to be. The cycling sisters Yulduz and Fariba are defying the Taliban's orders to participate in the cycling event of the Olympics and also representing their country.

Who are they?

The sisters grew up in one of the most conservative provinces of Afghanistan, where even before the Taliban took over, people looked down upon women participating in sports. However, as early as 14 and 17 years respectively, Fariba and Yulduz decided that they would cycle competitively despite the stigma that existed around them doing so. 

According to an article by BBC, they competed in their first cycling competition wearing baggy clothes and headscarves so that no one would recognise them. At this point, they did not own cycles nor did they know how to ride them. Managing to overcome this by borrowing a neighbour's bikes, the sisters used false names and competed in the race.
They continued to participate in and win local cycle races until their community found out and tried to make them stop by reportedly throwing stones and hitting them with rickshaws as they cycled. 

They did not even stop when the Taliban took over the country in 2021, making it difficult for women to step out of their houses, much less represent their country at the Olympics. So, they left their country and went to Italy alongside fellow cyclists, where they received professional training for the first time. 

Paris Olympics

Until recently, it was not confirmed whether Afghanistan would be able to compete in the Olympics under the present Taliban regime, since women were banned from performing sports publicly. 
However, the International Olympic Committee arranged for a six-member Olympic squad to represent Afghanistan at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The squad comprises three males and three females, out of which all three females and two of the three males train and play outside Afghanistan.

The squad was put together without any consultation with the Taliban, whose officials will also be barred from attending any of the Olympic events.

Both Yulduz and Fariba were selected to be part of the squad and expressed their pride and gratitude for being given this opportunity.
''We always dreamt of taking part in the Olympic Games, this is our dream come true. Despite all the rights that were taken from us we can show that we can achieve great success, we will be able to represent 20 million Afghan women,'' Yulduz told BBC.

From cycling in the streets of war-torn Afghanistan to now being able to participate in the biggest sporting event in the world, Yulduz and Fariba have shown us that truly, anything is possible.