Afghanistan will be sending a gender-equal contingent for the Paris Olympic Games 2024, and the same was confirmed by the International Olympic Committee on Thursday. A total of six members will be participating in the Olympics from Afghanistan which will include three men and three women. Since the Taliban has taken over Afghanistan, the participation of women in the field of sports and gyms has been restricted. Even, the women's cricket team is not allowed to represent the country. IOC's initiative was a message to the Taliban regime which has restricted women's rights under their rule. The Afghanistan National Olympic Committee and its secretary general are currently in exile. Indian Hockey Player PR Sreejesh Announces International Retirement, Veteran Goalkeeper to Hang Up His Boots After Paris Olympics 2024.

As per Reuters, IOC spokesperson Mark Adams said, "The clear idea is we want to get Afghan athletes and a gender-based team in Paris because of the demonstration that it gives to the world, at home in Afghanistan and also to the rest of the world." Paris Gears Up for Olympic Games 2024 With AI, Jets and Police Squadrons Amid Critics’ Concerns.

Mark Adams further mentioned that there will no Taliban official allowed to travel with the Afghanistan contingent during the Paris Olympic games. He added, "We have been working with the NOC president and the secretary general, who we recognise in exile, over some time. We made it clear we wanted a gender-equal team. That was the demand and that is what we achieved. There will be no place for Afghan authorities, the Taliban, in Paris itself.No representative of the de facto authorities, the Taliban government, will be accredited for the Olympic Games 2024."

The Paris Olympics 2024 will begin from July 26 and will end on August 14. A total of 206 nations will participate in the Olympics this year and just like the Afghanistan men's cricket team, the country shall mark their presence in other sports as well.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 22, 2024 08:49 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).