Masomah Ali Zada (born on 11 March 1996) is a road cyclist, born in Afghanistan, who qualified for, and took part in, the 2020 Olympic Games as part of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Refugee Olympic Team. [1] [2]
 | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | 11 March 1996 |
| Team information | |
| Discipline | Road |
| Role | Rider |
Born in Afghanistan, Ali Zada spent her early years in Iran, before returning to Afghanistan. Masomah learnt to ride in whilst living in Ghazni Province at the age of 9. Upon moving to Kabul in 2012 she found herself subject to physical and verbal harassment whilst cycling.[3] Masomah and her family (her parents, three brothers and sister) fled Afghanistan in 2016 due to threats from the Taliban, and claimed asylum in France under a humanitarian visa.[4]
Currently studying civil engineering at the University of Lille, Masomah received an IOC Refugee Athlete Scholarship in 2019[5] and took part in the women’s individual time trial at Tokyo 2020 Olympics, finishing 25th of 25.[6]
In 2022, Ali Zada became a member of the Athletics' Commission of the International Olympic Committee – the first refugee athlete on any IOC commission.[7]
References
edit- ^ "Tokyo Olympics: Cyclist Masomah Ali Zada is a symbol of hope and inspiration". BBC Sport. 28 July 2021. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
- ^ "Masomah Ali Zada". Olympics.
- ^ Davies, Lizzy (27 July 2021). "'We're so proud of her': Afghanistan's gutsy female cyclists ready to cheer on Ali Zada". The Guardian.
- ^ "Masomah Ali Zada: The Female Afghan Cyclist Competing On The Olympic Refugee Team | PEP UNLIMITED LLC". Retrieved 2022-03-29.
- ^ Frattini, Kirsten (2021-07-28). "Masomah Ali Zada brings message of hope for women's rights and refugees at Tokyo Olympics". cyclingnews.com. Retrieved 2022-03-29.
- ^ "Refugee cyclist Masomah Ali Zada makes memorable Olympic debut". Olympics.
- ^ "Four Olympians appointed to IOC Athletes' Commission". International Olympic Committee.