INTERVIEW. “I want to place my country on the map of global cycling,” says Fariba Hashimi, crowned in France Afghanistan champion of the chrono

The Afghanistan female cycling championship is organized in the Herbiers (Vendée) in parallel with the French championships. At 22, Fariba Hashimi is the first Afghan to ride in a World Tour team.

A podium in the colors of Afghanistan in the heart of the Vendée. After a final edition organized in 2022 in Aigle in Switzerland, the Afghanistan women's cycling championship is held this year in parallel with the French championships cycling to herbaria (Vendée). Afghanistan's standard bearer at the 2024 Paris Games, Fariba Hashimi, won, Thursday, June 26, the time trial in front of his big sister Yulduz and Zahra Rezayee. All three, as well as two other Afghan cyclists, will participate in the online race event on Saturday.

Since August 2021, the return of the Taliban to power has prevents Afghanus from continuing their sports practice in the country, leading to the exile of many high -level sportsmen. Fariba and Yulduz Hashimi fled Afghanistan, supported by the International Cycling Federation (UCI). Now 22 years old, Fariba Hashimi is a professional cyclist, and a member of a World Tour team, Ceratizit, since January. She confided in Franceinfo: Sport.

You had already won the title of Afghanistan champion in 2022 in Switzerland. What does this new coronation represent?

Fariba Hashimi Hashi: I am proud to keep this jersey, to show the world that Afghanistan is still there and that we are also part of the world of cycling. I have been proud to wear this jersey in the past three years and participated in major races with. My national tunic reminds me that I come from Afghanistan and that I must not abandon.

You won this crowded crowded and not in your country. How do you live this situation ?

I am grateful to have had the opportunity to compete in France. In no way can a woman run at high level in cycling in Afghanistan. I thank the UCI for giving us this possibility. Of course, one day, I will be happy to participate in a championship in Afghanistan. But for now, it's impossible. Everything is prohibited there by the Taliban.

Almost a year ago, you participated in the Paris Games under the colors of Afghanistan whose flag you also worn. What memories do you keep of this event?

It was incredible. No one could have believed that Afghan women were going to be able to participate in the Olympic Games. We did it. And I was not alone. I had a part of my family with me. I was very moved. I will never forget this moment.

“There were Afghans on the side of the road which waved our flag. It was really moving. It gave me strength. There are 20 million women in Afghanistan and I drive for them.”

Fariba Hashimi, Afghanistan champion of the time trial

In Franceinfo: Sport

My sister (who also participated in the Olympic Games) took a breakup first. Then I myself took a breakaway with other runners. It was great to see all these athletes with me.

You joined the Ceratizit Pro Cycling Team team in January 2025, which makes you the first Afghan to ride on the World Tour circuit. What a path has been traveled since your beginnings on a bike at 14 in Afghanistan!

Cycling has changed a lot in my life. I am now one of the best world teams. When I was in Afghanistan, I never imagined coming to run here. I never thought of leaving my country in this context. When my sister and I left Afghanistan, it has already had a big impact in our life. While we were small runners, we went to train with large teams.

My team's jersey makes me proud, it gives me an additional motivation. From a city bike in Afghanistan, I became a professional cyclist. Cycling gave me this chance.

By joining this team, you participated in very high level races. How is learning going?

The Tour in Switzerland is the biggest race I have done so far. I was not at the best of my form, so the goal was to help my teammates. On the last step, I found myself at the front. I was surprised. I took the escape three times. This time, I was driving for myself. My Afghan jersey was forward. It gave me strength, motivation. I said to myself “Fariba, you don't look back, you're going”.

They caught up with me, I then returned to a breakaway with a larger group. This time, I had the Olympic champion Kristen Faulkner with me. I was super proud. I finished in the top 20 of this step. And I finished 11th in the ranking of the best climber in the Tour in Switzerland. I'm really proud.

What are your next sports dreams? And personal?

I want to become the best runner in the world. Maybe win the world champion jersey one day. After the Olympics, it became my dream. Last year, at the Worlds under 23, I finished seventh (online race). Maybe this year in Kigali (Rwanda) I can win the Worlds under 23. Or next year in Montreal.

I want to place my country on the world cycling map. There is no one else on the World Tour circuit, even among men. I hope more women follow this same dream of freedom. And personally, I dream of once again seeing my family again. I really miss they a lot.