Story perspectives

Afghan Cyclist Fariba Hashimi Wins Asian Games Silver

By Drooid · Sep 24, 2026, 12:13 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Fariba Hashimi won a silver medal in the women’s cycling road race at the Asian Games.
She completed the race in 2 hours, 50 minutes, 5 seconds.
She trained while disguising herself as a man and hid her face to avoid attacks.
She fled Afghanistan in 2021 after the Taliban takeover to pursue her dream.
She hopes to return to Kabul and inspire Afghan women by challenging Taliban oppression.

History

Historical Context

After the Taliban’s 1999 IOC suspension and 2000 Olympic ban for banning women, the IOC reinstated Afghanistan in June 2003, demanding female inclusion. In August 2004 Athens, a five-person team—40 % women—featured Robina Muqimyar and Friba Razayee as the nation’s first female Olympians. Their breakthrough spurred NGOs and sponsors to back Afghan women cyclists, aiming to erode gender barriers under the Taliban’s continued rule.

1 of 2

Story summary

Fariba Hashimi won a silver medal in the women’s cycling road race at the Asian Games.
She completed the race in 2 hours, 50 minutes, 5 seconds.
She trained while disguising herself as a man and hid her face to avoid attacks.
She fled Afghanistan in 2021 after the Taliban takeover to pursue her dream.
She hopes to return to Kabul and inspire Afghan women by challenging Taliban oppression.

1 / 2