Aug 24, 2021 - Sports

Afghanistan flag displayed at Paralympics as "sign of solidarity"

Erin Doherty

The flag of Afghanistan is presented by volunteers at the Paralympics. Photo: Marcus Brandt/picture alliance via Getty Images

The Afghanistan national flag was displayed during Tuesday's Paralympics opening ceremony as a "sign of solidarity" after the team was forced to cancel its trip due to the Taliban's takeover of the country.

Driving the news: The flag of Afghanistan was carried into the parade of athletes by a Paralympic volunteer, alongside a representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the New York Times reports.

The big picture: The two Afghan athletes who were not able to travel to Tokyo were para-taekwondo athlete Zakia Khudadadi and discus thrower Hossain Rasouli, per AP.

Khudadadi would have been the first woman to represent Afghanistan at a Paralympic Games, per Reuters.

Go deeper: Tokyo Paralympics kick off amid COVID state of emergency

Add Axios on Google

Afghanistan flag displayed at Paralympics as "sign of solidarity"

What to read next