ROME: Zakia Khudadadi of Afghanistan made history when she claimed bronze in Para taekwondo at the Grand Palais on the first day of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, becoming the first-ever member of the Refugee Paralympic Team to win a medal. She won bronze in her Para taekwondo K44 -47kg category.
Afterwards, she said: ‘I am so, so happy because today is my life’s dream. It means the world to me. This medal is for all the refugees in the world.’
Following her victory on Thursday, Andrew Parsons, President of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), said: ‘Congratulations Zakia, on the first medal ever for the Refugee Paralympic Team! I am so proud of you; the medal is yours.’
UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi handed out the medals to the winning athletes, Khudadadi included, during the presentation ceremony. ‘I am deeply moved tonight. This historic win for the Refugee Paralympic Team embodies the power, determination and grit of Zakia and her fellow refugees,’ Grandi said.
‘Standing
on the podium tonight, she represents 120 million people forcibly displaced worldwide. Zakia is a role model for us all. Despite the challenges she has faced, she has become a Paralympic medallist achieving the highest pinnacle of sporting success. The night is hers!
This is the third time the Refugee Paralympic Team is competing at the Games. The first team, comprised of two refugee athletes, competed at the Rio 2016 Paralympics Games. The team grew to six for Tokyo 2020 and in Paris, and in Paris, the eight refugee athletes and two guide runners are competing in six of the 22 sports – Para athletics, Para powerlifting, Para table tennis, Para taekwondo, Para triathlon, and wheelchair fencing.
Khudadadi said her Paris medal was just the beginning: ‘I will continue to the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games (hoping) for the gold medal!’
Khudadadi and her seven teammates on the Refugee Paralympic Team are based in six countries and represent more than 120 million people worldwide.
Source: Emirates News Agen
cy