Afghan refugee says medal 'a woman's dream'

Zakia Khudadadi was the flagbearer for Afghanistan at the closing ceremony of the Tokyo Paralympics in 2021

The first member of the Paralympic Refugee Team to win a medal says she hopes her achievement "sends a message for all the refugees in the world to follow hope, follow freedom and follow peace".

Zakia Khudadadi, from Afghanistan, won bronze in the K44 -47kg Para-taekwondo category in Paris.

The 25-year-old is based in the French capital and one of eight members of the Paralympic Refugee Team competing at the 2024 edition.

She represented her country in Tokyo three years ago after being safely evacuated in the days prior to the Games when the Taliban swept into the Afghan capital, Kabul and seized power, as foreign forces hastily completed their withdrawal.

The Taliban government has placed heavy restrictions on women's rights in Afghanistan. Protesters have told the BBC they were beaten, abused, jailed and even threatened with death by stoning.

"Today, in my country, life is not easy for all the women and girls in Afghanistan because the Taliban is in Afghanistan," Khudadadi told the BBC World Service.

"Everything is finished for all the women. Maybe for this medal all the women continue life and continue the fight with the Taliban. Maybe [one day] we are together with peace in my country."

Khudadadi, who won gold in her division at last year's European Championships, says living in France, and having access to professional facilities and support, has allowed her to fulfil her potential.

"In Afghanistan it was not very professional and there were many problems," she added. "Here in France everything is perfect, especially my coach, who is the best coach in the world for me."

She says she will compete at the Los Angeles Paralympics in 2028 "for a gold medal", and also intends to try Para-athletics.

For now, though, Khudadadi can enjoy the immense satisfaction of her history-making bronze medal and its wider significance.

"I'm so happy and I'm so proud for this medal because after three years I have worked hard every morning, every afternoon," she said.

"This is a woman's dream and now it's true, the dream is here."