Paris Paralympics: Afghan para taekwondo Zakia Khudadadi’s fight for women, refugees

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00:00For Persian New Year, or Nowruz, Zakia left her taekwondo uniform in the wardrobe.

00:19Ahead of the Games, the Afghan diaspora in Paris has expressed support for the athlete.

00:32Zakia arrived in France six months before she was joined by her parents and sister,

00:37and they too have high hopes for a medal.

00:50She's one of the few Afghan women to take part in the Paralympic Games to date,

00:54setting an example for the younger generation.

01:19More broadly, Zakia wants to speak up for other refugees.

01:50In the heart of Paris, this exhibition celebrates refugee athletes,

01:54including Mazoma Alizada, an Afghan cyclist and Zakia's friend.

02:20Zakia has been living in France since 2021.

02:23She was unable to obtain French citizenship in time for the Games,

02:27so will be competing for the refugee team.

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