In celebration of this inspiring determination — we wanted to share Fariba’s remarkable story, from her early days in Afghanistan to the challenges she faced while pursuing cycling, and how her recent success inspires a new generation of female athletes.
The road to cycling stardom from Faryab
Fariba and her sister Yulduz first fell in love with cycling as teenagers. Growing up in one of Afghanistan’s most remote and traditional regions, neither had ever imagined that bikes would change their lives. They first discovered the sport through a local cycling event that caught their attention and looked fun. Yet, with no bikes or cycling experience, they were forced to become incredibly resourceful riders right from day one. They secretly borrowed a neighbor’s bike to learn, all while covering themselves in oversized clothes and scarves to hide their identities. Despite these barriers, they excelled, finishing first and second in their first race. “It felt amazing,” Fariba told the BBC. “I felt like a bird who could fly.”
Rising against resistance and danger
Despite a promising start, the sisters’ journey into the world of cycling wasn’t without its share of resistance and outright hostility. Their family, bound by local norms, initially urged them to quit once they discovered their daughters’ unconventional new hobby. “They asked me to stop cycling,” Fariba shared, but she knew she had found a passion worth challenging norms.
As her resolve increased, her cycling attracted public attention, and definitely not all of it was supportive. Alongside the backlash, she and her sister faced harassment and even physical danger from people in their community who believed that cycling wasn’t a place for women. “People would try to hit us with cars or throw stones as we rode,” Yulduz recalled, highlighting the everyday risks they encountered just to practice their sport.
Fleeing Afghanistan and finding new hope in Italy
In 2021, their lives took another drastic turn when the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan, imposing sweeping restrictions on women’s rights. Women were barred from participating in sports, education, travel, and many other aspects of public life. Realizing they could no longer pursue their cycling dreams at home, Fariba and Yulduz knew they had to escape.
“The biggest thing for me is to be away from my mother,” Fariba explained. “I never thought that because of cycling, I would be separated from my brothers and sisters…I’ve sacrificed a lot.”
Through connections in the international cycling community, they could secure seats on an evacuation flight to Italy. Once in Italy, the sisters joined a professional cycling team and received formal training for the first time. It was a transformative experience that allowed them to refine their skills in a way they’d never been able to before. “Back in Afghanistan, we didn’t have professional training,” Yulduz noted. “All we used to do was take our bikes and ride.”
Though leaving their family and homeland was deeply painful, Fariba held onto her dream of racing internationally, a decision that would soon lead her to unprecedented achievements.
A journey to the podium: Tour de l’Ardèche victory
Fariba’s dedication to cycling culminated in an incredible win this September at the queen stage of the Tour Feminin l’Ardèche. She tackled Mont Lozère and proved to herself and the world what Afghan women were capable of achieving. This achievement followed an impressive season where she placed 8th at the Tour de l’Avenir Femmes and 10th at the Giro Mediterraneo in Rosa, affirming her potential in the competitive cycling world.
Representing Afghanistan for Paris
Earlier in the season, she also made waves at the Paris Olympics, where she and her sister represented Afghanistan—a decision that came after complex discussions with the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Representing Afghanistan rather than the Olympic Refugee Team was deeply significant for Fariba, who wanted to highlight the strength of Afghan women to a global audience. “Our achievement belongs to Afghanistan,” she declared. “This belongs to Afghan women. I am going to the Olympics because of them.”
Breaking records and inspiring a generation
Indeed, Fariba’s journey stands as a powerful testament to the courage and perseverance of Afghan women and athletes from marginalized communities worldwide. Now training with the World Cycling Centre, Fariba is part of an elite development team—a far cry from the days of riding in disguise on a borrowed bike. But despite her achievements and the state-of-the-art facilities in Aigle, Switzerland, she remains grounded by her humble beginnings. “We are each other’s strength,” Yulduz said of her bond with Fariba. “I support her, and she supports me.”
What’s next for Afghanistan’s first cycling champion?
As Fariba’s reputation continues to rise, there’s growing speculation about her future in the sport. Her remarkable performances this season have positioned her as a promising candidate for a coveted WorldTour contract. At just 21, Fariba has her entire career ahead of her, and her journey is only beginning.
