In a display of athletic prowess, Afghanistan's Mohammad Samim Faizad, the lone Olympic athlete training within Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, flips his sparring partner to the mat. Six Afghans, including three women unrecognized by the Taliban government, are set to compete in cycling, athletics, swimming, and judo at the Paris Olympics this month. Faizad, the only team member still residing in Afghanistan, adheres to a strict training regimen despite the country's challenges of poverty, post-war recovery, and Taliban governance.
The 22-year-old, who supplements his training with odd jobs, acknowledges the greater toll of mental and psychological exhaustion over physical fatigue. "Judo is very significant to me," he remarks during a training session at the dilapidated gym of the Afghanistan Judo Federation in Kabul. His aspiration to participate in the Olympic Games is one of his loftiest dreams.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) had previously banned Afghanistan from the Games in 1999 during the Taliban's initial rule, when women were excluded from sports. Afghanistan was readmitted following the Taliban's ousting post-9/11, but the Paris Games are the first summer Olympics since their return to power in 2021. The IOC has invited an Afghan squad without consulting Taliban officials, working instead with the exiled national Olympic committee to ensure representation of all 206 nations, including those where athletes might not otherwise qualify.
Faizad secured his spot through a Kabul tournament with over a hundred participants. "I will give my all to win the gold medal for my country," he declares, having practiced judo for 14 years and ranked 446th globally. The Taliban government, while less stringent in sports, still refuses to acknowledge the women competitors, stating only three athletes represent Afghanistan. They aim to resolve flag issues and ensure the ruling government's flag is displayed in international sports events.
Afghanistan's Olympic history dates back to 1936, with only two bronze medals won in Taekwondo. Faizad highlights the limited sports opportunities in Afghanistan, lacking proper training facilities. He cultivates the zen-like calmness required in judo, focusing solely on the sport. Trained by his uncle, Ajmal Faizada, who competed in the 2012 London Olympics, Faizad is determined to achieve the best possible result in Paris.
The Paris Olympics mark Faizad's debut on the international stage, complicated by the Taliban government's lack of international recognition. With most embassies evacuated during the Taliban takeover, Faizad must travel to Iran for his visa. Regardless of the outcome, he is committed to preparing for the 2028 Olympic Games.
