Afghans tearful on Tokyo arrivalREMARKABLE: International Paralympic Committee spokesman Craig Spence said that the duo went to Tokyo to fulfil their dreams, to send out a message of hopeAFP, TOKYOAfghanistan’s two athletes made an “extremely emotional” arrival at the Tokyo Paralympic Village, Games officials said yesterday, after a top-secret flight from Paris following their evacuation from Kabul. Khudadadi and Rasouli were welcomed to the athletes’ village on Saturday night by IPC president Andrew Parsons and IPC Athletes’ Council chairperson Chelsey Gotell, as well as the Afghanistan team chef de mission Arian Sadiqi. Sprinter Rasouli was scheduled to compete in the men’s T47 100m, but arrived too late for Saturday’s heats. Their arrival comes after Afghanistan’s swift fall to the Taliban earlier this month left them among the tens of thousands trapped and unable to leave the country. The Taliban have promised a softer brand of rule than their first stint in power, but many Afghans fear a repeat of their brutal interpretation of Shariah law.

Source: Taipei Times August 29, 2021 15:56 UTC