Paris Olympics 2024: Iranian women athletes look to defy odds with Refugee Team

The 2024 Paris Olympics will feature the largest-ever refugee team, with 37 athletes from 12 countries, in search for their first Olympic medal!

Of the 37 athletes in the Refugee Olympic team, 15 hail from Iran, making it country with most deflections. That sheds light on the challenges, obstacles and discrimination women athletes face in the Islamic nation.

Here's a look at the five Iranian female athletes who have braved the odds in order to showcase their talents to the world at the Paris Olympics.

Kimia Alizadeh

Kimia Alizadeh is Iran's first and only female Olympic medallist. She fled her homeland in January 2020, condemning its oppressive regime via an Instagram post. Winning bronze in Taekwondo at the 2016 Rio Games, she now competes under the Bulgarian flag for the Refugee Team. Despite the challenges, she aims for gold at the Paris 2024 Olympics, showcasing hope and resilience.

Saman Soltani

Saman Soltani is a former national swimming champion from Iran. She turned to kayaking due to restrictions on female athletes over clothing. After fleeing Iran amid escalating protests in 2022, she sought asylum in Austria. Now, Soltani will compete in canoe sprint at the Paris 2024 Olympics, representing the refugee team with unwavering determination.

Yekta Jamali Galeh

Yekta Jamali is Iran's first female weightlifting medallist. The 19-year-old sought asylum in Germany in 2022 to safely continue her sport. She competed at national junior levels and won medals at the World Junior Championships. Despite challenges, she aims to inspire women globally through her Olympic debut in Paris 2024. Jamali's journey symbolizes strength and perseverance in the face of adversity.

Dorsa Yavarivafa
Dorsa Yavarivafa fled Iran in 2018 along with her mother when she was just 15 years old after she was rejected by the national badminton team without a concrete reason. Her mother also wanted to change her religion; which is not permitted under Islamic laws. Now studying in London, she will compete for the refugee team at the Paris 2024 Olympics; with the proud support of her family.

Barbari Zharfi Mahboubeh
Mahboubeh Barbari Zharfi, a refugee from Iran, will compete in judo at the Paris 2024 Olympics. As a single mother and an athlete with a third dan black belt, she balances training, coaching, and being a judge along with raising her daughter. Mahboubeh's participation signifies the power of determination, aiming to inspire others and prove that motherhood and athletic excellence can coexist.