Escaping Kabul: the secret operation to exfiltrate the Afghan women's cycling team
Summary
After the Taliban took control of Kabul in 2021, they banned women’s cycling as part of strict laws. A secret plan was made by an Israeli-Canadian supporter, world cycling officials, and activists to safely move the Afghan women’s cycling team out of Afghanistan to Europe. Journalists followed this rescue mission and told the story of the athletes and those who helped them escape.Key Facts
- The Taliban seized Kabul in August 2021 and imposed strict Islamic law.
- Women’s sports, especially cycling, were banned and considered dishonest under Taliban rule.
- The Afghan women’s cycling team had been founded in 2010 and competed internationally before the takeover.
- An Israeli-Canadian cycling supporter organized a secret evacuation plan for the team.
- The plan involved cooperation between the Union Cycliste Internationale, NGOs, and activists worldwide.
- The cyclists traveled secretly out of Afghanistan through Tajikistan and Albania to reach safety in Europe.
- Journalists Matteo Born and Alain Rimbert documented this evacuation and the challenges faced.
- The story was made into a film co-produced by RTS, LCP, and FRANCE 24.
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