AN Afghan Olympian who fled the Taliban will fight for European glory in Manchester on Saturday thanks to British Taekwondo.
And the young refugee could potentially compete for Team GB at the Paris 2024 Olympics if lawyers get him international clearance.
Afghan refugee Farzad Mansouri is dreaming of representing Team GB at the 2024 Olympics Credit: British Taekwondo
Mansouri carried the Afghan flag in Tokyo last summer, but has since fled the Taliban Credit: Getty A month after carrying his nation’s flag at the opening ceremony of the Tokyo 2021 Olympics, Farzad Mansouri fled Afghanistan with his immediate family in fear of reprisals from the Taliban.
After spending EIGHT MONTHS in a refugee camp in Abu Dhabi, the 20-year-old came to the UK three weeks ago on a special 12-month sportsperson’s visa.
GB Taekwondo have given Mansouri access to their training facilities and a place to stay close to their national centre.
And on Tuesday he was granted the chance to compete in the -80kg class at the European Taekwondo Championships under a refugee flag.
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Police investigating Vieira incident after Palace boss KICKED Everton fan Gary Hall, performance director for GB Taekwondo, told SunSport: “Farzad is an incredible young man and very talented. We wanted to help him get back on his Olympic journey.
“Whilst he is not training or competing that is compounding his mental health issues. We needed to help with that scenario.
“It’s a tremendous story. We felt we needed to support him.
“In terms of quality he’s extremely good. To do what he has done, win 6 or 8 medals on the Asian continents, especially with limited resources, is pretty impressive.
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“Since then he has gone through significant trauma and we don’t know how that will expose itself.
“Our performance team are working with him on a psychological and lifestyle perspective, to settle here as best as he can.”
Mansouri, who lost in the men’s +80kg Last 16 at the Olympics, was airlifted out of his homeland before the Taliban took over capital Kabul.
Two of his family members worked for the government and were deemed to be high-risk targets.
They fled from their home in Parwan province, leaving behind their house and all their belongings.
His mum, dad, brother and sister remain in the refugee camp in the Middle East which is providing safety and shelter to around 2,000 people.
Mansouri said: “It’s still very difficult for me because I’m away from them. I worry about them.
“They supported me through my career and if not for them I don’t think I would have had chance to go to the Olympics.
Mansouri is now training with the GB Taekwondo elite squad Credit: Trevor Baxter
Lawyers hope to get Mansouri international clearance to represent Britain in Paris Credit: Trevor Baxter “But for now, I’m very happy to be here. I never had any facilities like this to train in Afghanistan.
“Sometimes, I still don’t believe I’m here. I’m very lucky and I can’t thank everyone enough for giving me a chance to start taekwondo again.
“In the camp, me, my brother, sister and nephew lived in one room. I couldn’t train for taekwondo, but I tried to keep myself fit by running and other physical activities.
“This was all in the camp as we weren’t allowed to go outside. We didn’t see anywhere. Most of the time we were sleeping or eating.”
Mansouri’s elder brother lives in Reading – he arrived in the UK several years ago – and has obtained British citizenship.
Lawyers involved in his case are exploring all options but there is the chance he could kick heads in GB colours at a future Olympics.
Hall added: “His legal status is yet to be confirmed and he has personal ambitions of competing for Great Britain.
“But also he has personal ambitions to become an Olympic champion – no matter where that might be.
“Considering the hardship this lad has gone through mentally and physically to harbour those ambitious, knowing his family are still in a refugee camp, is just something we felt compelled to help with.
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My £1.4k Spain holiday was ruined when charged hundreds extra for flights “Who he will fight for has yet to be determined. There’s a lot to be worked through.
“The most important is about what is best for him and his family first.”
Source: Athletics - thesun.co.uk
