Fariba Hashimi Takes Asian Games Cycling Silver After Fleeing Afghanistan
The short version
- Fariba Hashimi won silver in the Asian Games women's cycling road race in Nagoya, Japan.
- Her finishing time was 2 hours, 50 minutes, 5 seconds.
- She left Afghanistan in 2021 after the Taliban took control.
- She said she dressed as a man and hid her face to train safely in Afghanistan.
The Afghan cyclist, who once disguised herself as a man to train at home, finished second in the women's road race in Nagoya.
Afghan cyclist Fariba Hashimi won a silver medal Tuesday in the women's road race at the Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, finishing in 2 hours, 50 minutes, 5 seconds.
Hashimi left Afghanistan in 2021 when the Taliban took control of the country. She said that beforehand, training as a woman there was dangerous, and she would dress as a man and cover her face to avoid being recognized while riding. She said people who did recognize her sometimes threw stones at her or hit her.
She said she escaped because she wanted to pursue her dream and to show that Afghan women can have opportunities. After winning the medal, she described herself as full of emotion and said she hopes one day to return to Kabul and ride alongside other women who share her passion for the sport.
Hashimi also said she hopes things change in her country. She said the Taliban are afraid of women because of how powerful one woman can be.
