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Mahbooba Ahadgar, who was the only Afghan female scheduled to be competing in the Beijing Olympic Games next month, has resurfaced after going missing in Italy last week and is en route to Norway, where she will be seeking asylum.
When Ahadgar could not be found at her training camp in Formia on Thursday, there were fears that her disappearance may have been linked to a series of death threats that she had received at home from Muslim extremists, who are opposed to the concept of a woman running in the Olympics.
However, concerns for her family's safety are not over because, since Ahadgar's mysterious disappearance, her parents have been under so much pressure from the Afghan Olympic Committee in Kabul to get their daughter back into her spikes that they have been threatened with imprisonment. Her parents, though, were also in the dark as to her whereabouts until she phoned them on Tuesday.
While her safety is a relief within Olympic circles, her decision to go into hiding a month before the Games is a galling blow because, as an Afghan woman who is proud of her athleticism and her Muslim religion, she became a poster girl for the Games. Ahadgar had been on a scholarship from the Olympic Solidarity programme, which financed training camps in Kuala Lumpur and Italy, even though her running times in her event, the 1,500 metres, meant that she would struggle to finish within a minute of the winners.
Ahadgar is not the first Olympic Solidarity scholar to seek asylum in this way. Two Bangladeshi athletes also vanished last year and a runner from Gabon did the same in 2001.
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To Suzi: As much as I hate the "media-prostituted", corporate West at least we have rights as women. We can walk around freely saying what we want and wearing what we want. I don't think that anyone is turning this into an anti-muslim rant. I would rather champion womens rights than Muslim rights
Laura, New York City, USA
i'm relieved to find out that she was safe. being a female Muslim athlete myself, i really feel sorry for her being under pressure. Here in Malaysia head-covered female atheletes are almost everywhere, so I guess I am lucky. I suppose sports should be the media of uniting ppl around the world :)
Belle, KL, Malaysia
It's wonderful to know she is safe! We all were afraid of her life.I wish her all the best and in despite of what is happening in her country I wish also to all theafhani's peopel piece and chance to live better life.Everybody deserve that! To live life without threat and fear.
Marci, Praha, Czech republic
Why is this turning into an anti islam rant again? Perhaps she simply wants to get to the media-prostituted West and 'write a book' or advertise for a huge brand and soon make millions in o
Good luck to her but I won't be buying or reading her melodrama and this is all hyped up stuff and nonsense.
Suzi Sheehan, Swansea, UK
I'm so glad she's ok. Whatever she has to do to ensure her safety and a better life for herself, good luck to her. Her safety is worth more than a metal.
Skyler, Milwaukee, USA
I pray that she will be well and hope that all, Muslim, Christian, whatever, will pray that her family is also safe.
barb, nashville, usa
may she and her family be blessed. someday all this senseless hatred will stop and she and women like her will be free to live as they should see fit.
anna najma, pennsylvania, usa
I think she has made a bold decision for building a bright future for herself. None of us have the right to blame her for the step she has taken. I request every one to support her bcz she is from Afghanistan were women are not given their rights that Islam has a religion has given them.Bst of luk
Khalid Hayat, Monterey,
I am a practising muslim and wish the modest athlete all the very best. May God bless her and protect her from the ignorant people.
Syed, Dallas, USA
im afghan too and i realli support her of running in the olympics. after what the women have been through in afghanistan. i think she is making a big step to the right path for all the afghan girls.loveyou and i hope u do great in life. muah!
salma, CaLifOrNia!!!, USA
It is truly a shame that someone must go into hiding to pursue their dreams. It is a tribute to her courage. I wish her well.
Curt, USA
curt arthur, memphis, usa
Good for her! I wish her every good fortune!
You go, girl!
Much, much love,
Cassandra
CAssandra, USA, USA