Mehbooba Ahadyar, Afghanistan's Only Female Olympian, Disappears in Italy

In March we introduced you to Mehbooba Ahadyar, a 19-year-old runner who was expected to be the only female on Afghanistan's Olympic team. She has qualified in the 1500 meters and the 3000 meters, and she was a source of great pride to many Afghan women, who were not permitted to participate in sports under the Taliban.

But now Ahadyar is missing. Time Magazine reports that Ahadyar was training in Italy with other Olympic athletes when she disappeared, apparently voluntarily, taking her bags and her passport with her.

"It was quite a surprise to us," a spokesman for the worldwide governing body of track and field told Time. "We don't know where she is. All we know is that she and her bags are gone."

Eurasianet.org reports that Ahadyar is likely seeking asylum in a European country, terrified of death threats she had received from extremists in Afghanistan who oppose women competing in sports. Sadly, those extremists may get their wish of keeping Afghanistan from sending female athletes to Beijing.

Latest Olympics Photos

Oleg Ostapenko, from Ukraine, back left, coach of Brazil's artistic gymnastics team, watches Brazilian gymnast Jade Barbosa while she trains at the Center of Excellence for Olympic Gymnastics in Curitiba, southern Brazil, Friday, July 11, 2008. Barbosa, along with athletes Daiane dos Santos, Lais Souza and Daniele Hipolito, are the favorites to represent Brazil in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, but Ostapenko would not reveal Brazil's Olympic gymnastics team until the end of July. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)

Oleg Ostapenko, from Ukraine, coach of Brazil's artistic gymnastics team, helps a Brazilian gymnast at the Center of Excellence for Olympic Gymnastics in Curitiba, southern Brazil, Friday, July 11, 2008. Athletes Daiane dos Santos, Jade Barbosa, Lais Souza and Daniele Hipolito are the favorites to represent Brazil in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, but Ostapenko would not reveal Brazil's Olympic gymnastics team until the end of July. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)

USA Team manager Davey Johnson, right, tips his cap to the crowd before the start of the All Star Futures baseball game at Yankee Stadium in New York, Sunday, July 13, 2008. Johnson will manage the US Olympic baseball team in Beijing. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

** ALTERNATIVE CROP OF XSI102 ** Athletes of the Brazilian artistic gymnastic team, train at the Center of Excellence for Olympic Gymnastics in Curitiba, southern Brazil, Friday, July 11, 2008. After the arrival of Ukrainian coach Oleg Ostapenko in 2001, Brazil decided to keep the team in permanent training. Athletes Daiane dos Santos, Jade Barbosa, Lais Souza and Daniele Hipolito are the favourites to represent Brazil in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, but Ostapenko would not reveal Brazil's Olympic gymnastics team until the end of July. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)

Marilyn Okoro celebrates winning the women's 800m final at the British Olympic trials in Birmingham, central England, July 13, 2008. REUTERS/Nigel Roddis (BRITAIN)

Reuters

Marilyn Okoro celebrates winning the women's 800m final at the British Olympic trials in Birmingham, central England, July 13, 2008. REUTERS/Nigel Roddis (BRITAIN)

Reuters

Brazil's world champion gymnast Daiane dos Santos, member of Brazil's artistic gymnastic team, trains at the Center of Excellence for Olympic Gymnastics in Curitiba, southern Brazil, Friday, July 11, 2008. Dos Santos, along with athletes Jade Barbosa, Lais Souza and Daniele Hipolito, are the favorites to represent Brazil in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, but Brazil's coach Oleg Ostapenko, from Ukraine, would not reveal Brazil's Olympic gymnastics team until the end of July. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)

An unidentified gymnast from Brazil's artistic gymnastic team, trains at the Center of Excellence for Olympic Gymnastics in Curitiba, southern Brazil, Friday, July 11, 2008. Athletes Daiane dos Santos, Jade Barbosa, Lais Souza and Daniele Hipolito are the favorites to represent Brazil in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, but Brazil's coach Oleg Ostapenko, from Ukraine, would not reveal Brazil's Olympic gymnastics team until the end of July. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)

Athletes of Brazil's artistic gymnastic team, train at the Center of Excellence for Olympic Gymnastics in Curitiba, southern Brazil, Friday, July 11, 2008. After the arrival of coach Oleg Ostapenko, from Ukraine in 2001, Brazil decided to keep the team in permanent training. Athletes Daiane dos Santos, Jade Barbosa, Lais Souza and Daniele Hipolito are the favorites to represent Brazil in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, but Ostapenko would not reveal Brazil's Olympic gymnastics team until the end of July.(AP Photo/Andre Penner)

Brazil's world champion gymnast Daiane dos Santos prepares to train at the Center of Excellence for Olympic Gymnastics in Curitiba, southern Brazil, Friday, July 11, 2008. Dos Santos, along with athletes Jade Barbosa, Lais Souza and Daniele Hipolito, are the favorites to represent Brazil in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, but Brazil's coach Oleg Ostapenko, from Ukraine, would not reveal Brazil's Olympic gymnastics team until the end of July.(AP Photo/Andre Penner)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 11)

7-13-2008 @ 10:03PM

Shelly said...

As an Afghan I feel so embarrass by her action. thats the reason why other nations when we go to their embassies to apply for visa they diney us case they do not trust us, even if we are applying for a student visa.

She broke many hearts,

7-14-2008 @ 1:30AM

DIANA said...

what is wrong with you shelly? how is she embarrasing you, I would leave too if I was representing a country like yours which is afghanistan, she may get punished going back there if she loses or really just by being on the team, im glad she left and i hope she finds a good home and your comment about she broke many hearts, you're crazy to think that, your a poor excuse of a woman, stand up for these women basic rights

7-14-2008 @ 6:09AM

Esperanza said...

Shelly, I understand how you feel especially when women in general are not given an opportunity to educate themselves. Just remember that it is not a reflection of you but any society that accepts the oppression of women. It is a growing and changing pain but for the better. Keep strong and focused on your future but pray that Mehbooba and her family are safe and hope she will bring freedom for women one step closer.

7-14-2008 @ 8:42AM

Cherokee said...

Shelly, you've been brainwashed if you think what she did makes other countries deny her anyting but the utmost respect for her bravery.It's easier to condem others that do what you don't have the guts to do.

7-13-2008 @ 9:40PM

Not so delighted said...

so sad. I pray that this was voluntary and not something more sinister..... May God or Allah or Whomever you pray to, be with her AND her family.

7-14-2008 @ 10:34AM

bd said...

I hope she's not praying to allah....it will be falling on deaf ears since allah does not exist. Ishmaels decendants are not the chosen ones. They need to repent and reach God through Jesus Christ, just as the gentiles have done.

7-13-2008 @ 9:47PM

mild said...

The writer of this article thinks it's sad that Afghanistan might not have a female at the Olympics.
I don't notice AOL news articles expressing any sadness over the thousands of innocent Afghans killed by American bombs dropping from the sky onto their wedding parties and homes.
Let's get some priorities in our world.
I hope this 19 year old refugee finds a decent country to give her a fair chance at life, probably Denmark.

7-14-2008 @ 8:53AM

Fred said...

grow up. I dont see you in any hurry to go there and help them

7-13-2008 @ 10:04PM

jjcallahan@aol.com said...

go join her you ------- loser

7-13-2008 @ 11:03PM

wsorrian said...

Anytime insurgents are killed they say it was children, women, or a wedding....don't buy into the propoganda so easily.

7-13-2008 @ 11:06PM

politically incorrect said...

Is it a safe guess that since life is so bad here for you that you'll soon be moving to Denmark? Those "thousands" as you have incorrectly stated are the same ones you see on the news marching in the streets holding signs demanding death to non-muslims. They are the ones screaming about political cartoons mocking muhammed, but saying nothing about the beheadings, rapes, kidnappings, and whippings for even the most minor offenses against islam. By the way, did you think your exaggerations would help your cause? Typical.

7-13-2008 @ 11:53PM

Steve said...

It's a good thing Americans don't think like you people.

7-14-2008 @ 12:16AM

armyman68w30 said...

you are most likely not an american but let me give you an American Soldier's perspective on bombing a wedding party,
remeber 9-11-2001 when terrorist loyal to osama bin laden
flew those planes into the towers killing a friend of mine who was a NYC Firefighter. not only that they killed husbands, wives fiances brothers and sister. if you are an American then you have forgotten..WHY IS THAT??? it was definately an accident if they were in fact a wedding party and not insurgents. Americans we don't kill women and children on purpose.
MILD AND OTHERS, IF YOU ARE AMERICAN STAND BEHIND US IF YOU ARE AGAINST US FEEL FREE TO STAND DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF US BUT PICK UP A WEAPON SO WE DON'T KILL SOME INNOCENT IDIOT.

7-14-2008 @ 12:07AM

robert said...

thousands of afgans killed from bombs being dropped on wedding partys. where do you get your information.

7-14-2008 @ 1:00AM

quilla328 said...

whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa you will be the first one screaming if it ever gets to here....where are the police, the military, my government.....they are supposed to protect me!!!!!!!!!!!!
get your ammo and your gun and take care of yourself

7-14-2008 @ 12:55AM

John said...

I wish you would find a decent country. Need a ticket?

7-20-2008 @ 10:58PM

CYNDI said...

YOU DUMB ASS, AMERICANS ARE NOT BLOWING UP WEDDINGS AND CHURCHES BY DROPPING BOMBS ON THEM,,,,THERE CALLED INSURGENTS, TERRORISTS OR SUICIDE BOMBERS...AMEICANS ARE THERE TO PROTECT THE CIVILLIANS FROM THE INSURGENTS....STOP READING THE COMICS...IF THE INSURGENTS TAKE OVER IRAG THEN IRAN AFGANISTAN AND PALESTINIAN CAN AND WILL BE A BIG THREAT TO AMERICA....

7-14-2008 @ 6:58AM

bruceinthehills said...

Not that any of you will thank me for adding some facts to the conversation, but I believe "mild" is referring to things like this:

http://www.lewrockwell.com/engelhardt/engelhardt345.html

Here's a hint: Try doing a little research before you post. Turn off the TV "newz" and read between the lies.