Kimia Yousofi: The Afghan Sprinter Carrying a Nation's Hope at the Paris Olympics

Kimia Yousofi, an Afghan runner who captured hearts at the Paris Olympics, has a story that transcends the boundaries of sport. From fleeing Afghanistan under Taliban rule to competing on the global stage, Yousofi's journey is both inspiring and poignant.

Her message, boldly displayed on her race bib, speaks volumes about her mission: "Education, Sports, Our Rights."

Reflecting on her experience in the Olympic Village, Yousofi shares, "Olympic Games is always perfect. It's a very special experience for every athlete, for each athlete that they can compete against other athletes, stars and like lots of good athletes."

Despite the excitement, this Olympics was uniquely challenging for her. "It was very special for me because of the situation of Afghan girls inside Afghanistan. It was a bit hard for me. It wasn't like easy like my other two Olympic Games, like Rio Games or Tokyo Games. It was a hard to fight with lots of things and be able to be to being an athlete, compete with other athletes. It was really, really special."

A Bold Statement

Yousofi's post-race act was a powerful statement. After completing her 100 meters race, she removed the bib from the back of her jersey, revealing a message to the world: "education, sport, our right."

She explains, "I was thinking before that I should use a stage. This is a stage for sending a message to the world that reminds Afghan girls. As I said before, always, this Olympic Games was very special, very hard for me that I was thinking for Afghan girls inside of Afghanistan, our rights. If I was in Afghanistan, I couldn't train, even I couldn't go to the Paris and compete. That's why I was thinking that I have to use this stage for sending my message."

For Yousofi, the message is clear: "Education is the most important thing. First of all is education and then sport. That's why I wrote education and sport. This is the first, this is a basic right for every human that they can have it. But unfortunately, in Afghanistan, women and girls, we don't have it. Also, I've got lots of messages from girls inside Afghanistan that please don't forget us. And I wanted to tell them that we are here because of you."

Representing Afghanistan Against All Odds

Choosing to represent Afghanistan rather than a refugee team was a deliberate decision for Yousofi. "Yes, I wanted to be a part of Afghanistan team as much as possible," she asserts. "I like refugee. I was born as a refugee. But the other way I wanted to represent Afghan girls at the Olympic Games. I wanted to be voice of them, face of them, and to show the world that I'm Afghan girl. This Afghanistan is my land. I can't forget it. So that's why I always chose the Afghanistan team. With every, every situation."

The Harsh Reality for Afghan Girls

Yousofi's insights into life for Afghan girls under Taliban rule are stark. "No, that's not possible for them," she says about Afghan girls going for a simple walk in the park. "They are making it even harder for them now. They recently set new rules for girls. It wasn't only for girls, but a part of that, it was for girls and women. They are making it harder for them. And some of them, they are thinking for, we cant be alive, they are thinking for death or something like that. And very disappointing situation. They are, they have depression. And I don't know what's happening in future. But the situation is getting worse day by day."

Training for female athletes in Afghanistan is nearly impossible. "Yes, it's not allowed. They can't use, they can't go to the stadium or gym to use to have a training," Yousofi explains. "Even I talked with my other teammates in Afghanistan, they are made. And I talked with them, how is the situation? They said we have problem with them even because they came to us and they say, why are you using this kind of clothes and you don't allow to use that, that clothes and they hit them by gun. It's not for female for female is very bad. Yeah. But also the male has a problem with them. It's not, it's not a normal condition."

When asked about the possibility of returning to Afghanistan, Yousofi is unequivocal: "No, no. It won't be. No, no. No, it's not. It's not safe. I can't come back to Afghanistan."

Adapting to a New Life

After arriving in Sydney, Yousofi quickly adapted to her new environment. She acknowledges the support she received: "The Australian government has a good process for every refugee. But for me, it wasn't only my sport. Sport and representing Afghan girls was the important thing for me. The other side was the building new life, learning culture, learning every single step of living in Australia. And of course, language. It was challenging."

Yousofi reflects on her early days, saying, "It was so bad. I remember first day when I came to Australia, when I arrived in Sydney, I had two translator. One of them came with Australian committee, Australian Olympic Committee. The other one came from the one organization for refugee. They came to help me to, I was able to talk with them and interview with them."

Her determination to overcome language barriers is evident. "I just wanted to make it. I wanted to do it for girls. For even my life, because they don't recognize me. I'm an Afghan girl. With every challenge, I did my best."

Training Regimen

Yousofi's training schedule in Australia was intense. "It was every day, evening time. And with other teammates, they are Australian, and some of them Australian, and some of them they are refugees as well," she notes. "Communication, the first day, I couldn't talk with my teammates, just hi, that's it. With my coach, I used Google Translate, that he was trying to tell me what should I do at this session. He told me before by Google Translate, and Google Translate English to Persian or Dari. And then if I had a question, Persian to English."

Words of Inspiration

In a rapid-fire round, Yousofi shares her thoughts on various topics. Her favorite Australian slang is still a work in progress: "I really like to learn it, but to talk, but it's a bit, it takes time to do that." Reflecting on her homeland, she says, "I miss my land because when you leave, I wasn't born in Afghanistan. But when I went to Afghanistan, the first time I felt home. This is my land. This is my homeland."

Her favorite Afghan food is Qabili, and when asked about singing, she humbly declines, "No, I don't have talent for singing."

A Message of Perseverance

Yousofi's message to young girls and women still struggling is clear: "Just keep doing, keep dreaming and don't give up. I know the situation. I know everywhere how is that but it's happened for me because when the Taliban came, every my way was closed as well I couldn't be an athlete anymore. But I just said to myself I want to continue and then when I was when I made sure that I want to continue, my new way came that go to Australia and continue. I just want to say again keep dreaming and keep going. We have a god as well if they are thinking that how is Islam okay we believe to god and he will help us we are not alone we have a we have a power more than their power."

Yousofi's story is not just one of athletic achievement but of resilience, courage, and advocacy for change. Her journey from Afghanistan to the Olympic stage represents a beacon of hope and a call to action for the rights of girls and women around the world.