Add Your Photos and Video to This Story

Afghan Olympian Runs for Her Life

by René | July 13, 2008 at 04:04 pm | 349 views | 3 comments

Apparently the only female competitor to come out of Afghanistan for the Beijing Olympics has gone missing in Italy where she was training with the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).

According to the report on CBC, Mahbooba Ahadgar called home and told her mother she does not intend to return to Afghanistan.

"...far from being an Olympic favorite, the head of the Afghan Olympic Federation has threatened to throw her family in jail, or worse, if Ahadgar doesn't return." CBC Olympics

According to CBC, her father had already been thrown in jail once, after neighbors had accused her of being a prostitute.

No wonder she doesn't want to return. And if she didn't have to wear so many clothes she might also be faster and a real contender. Doesn't look like she will be going to Beijing.

Add a comment Comments (3)

Barbara McPherson
good stuff:

René, I like this story. It's good stuff.  This underlines for me how lucky I am to live in N. America.

René

I do hope this young woman finds safe refuge, and that her family stays safe too.

Paschen
good stuff:

René, I like this story. It's good stuff. I am glad that My Dotter is not in Afghanistan and lives in Europe!

Add a comment

The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly.

July 13, 2008 at 04:04 pm by René, 349 views, 3 comments

closeSign in to NowPublic

is reporting from