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Aug 30, 2023

Parsons meets THF coach who fled Afghanistan to compete at Tokyo 2020

International Paralympic Committee President Andrew Parsons revealed he was "very emotional" after being reunited with taekwondo fighter Zakia Khudadadi and long jumper Hossain Rasouli who fled

International Paralympic Committee President Andrew Parsons revealed he was "very emotional" after being reunited with taekwondo fighter Zakia Khudadadi and long jumper Hossain Rasouli who fled Afghanistan to compete at the re-arranged 2020 Paralympics in Tokyo.

Parson met the two Afghan athletes during the World Para Athletics Championships staged in Paris last month.

Khudadadi and Rasouli evacuated Afghan capital Kabul after the Taliban took control of the country in August 2021.

Commercial flights had been cancelled after the Islamist group returned to power, raising doubts over Khudadadi and Rasouli would be able to make it to Tokyo 2020.

But the pair managed to reach France where they were able to rest and train before taking a flight to Tokyo in time for the Paralympics.

Khudadadi became Afghanistan’s first female athlete to participate at the Paralympics since Athens 2004 when she took part in the women’s K44 under-49 kilograms taekwondo competition, while Rasouli featured in the men’s T47 long jump event.

They also carried the Afghanistan flag during the Closing Ceremony of Tokyo 2020.

Khudadadi is now a coach for the Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation.

Parsons admitted he was delight to meet and talk to Khudadadi and Rasouli who now live in France.

"Although I’ve been receiving regular updates on the progress of Zakia and Hossain, there was nothing better than hearing from and meeting them in person. It was fantastic and very emotional to spend quality time with them,” he said.

"During the meeting we remembered the events surrounding their participation at Tokyo 2020, and what they have been doing since the Games.

"We also discussed how they are adapting to living in France, the challenges they are facing, and what help or support the IPC or the Paralympic Movement could provide them with so they can move on with their sport careers and personal lives.

"Thank you for your trust and friendship, Zakia and Hossain."

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Geoff Berkeley is the chief senior reporter at insidethegames.biz. After joining Midlands-based newspaper publisher Bullivant Media in 2011, Geoff rose through the ranks to become editor of the Malvern Observer and sports editor of several other weekly titles. He then went on to be appointed as the Worcester Warriors correspondent for the Worcester News where he was nominated for Sports Journalist of the Year at the Midlands Media Awards in 2016 and 2017. He also had a spell at Sportsbeat in 2020.