Hashimi followed her sister Yulduz, also an international cyclist, into the sport at the age of 15, despite danger in their home province of Faryab.
“I always dressed as a man to go to training, wearing two or three different masks so people would not recognise or attack me,” Hashimi previously told Reuters., external
Hashimi said she would have to avoid stones being thrown at her whilst riding her bike.
Hashimi now lives and trains in Italy thanks to help from the Italian former world champion Alessandra Cappellotto.
Looking back at life in Afghanistan, Hashimi said the Taliban “took away our freedom”.
“This silver medal can show a lot of resilience from Afghan women, and I’m really happy,” she said.
“I’m not alone, I know that behind me millions of women, from many countries, have the same dream and they are standing with me.”
Hashimi and her sister competed at the 2024 Paris Olympics and are now setting their sights on the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
“I never want to give up,” Hashimi said, “and hopefully we can see [what can happen] again in Los Angeles.”
