We tell a nice story, on the sidelines of the recent gravel world championship that took place in Veneto, where the Afghan sisters Yuldoz and Fariba Ashimi managed to participate wearing the jersey of their national team – designed and produced by Saby Sport – thanks to the commitment of the sports association founded by Alessandra Cappellotto “Road to Equality”.
A world gold medal and two bronze medals, two Olympic participations and the Golden Collar for Sporting Merit: all this is Alessandra Cappellotto, the first Italian woman to win a road cycling world championship. A champion on the saddle, but above all in life, always socially active with a particular focus on gender equality. Cappellotto was the first woman to be a councilor of the Italian Cycling Federation and vice-president ACCPI, while in 2017 he created the CPA Women's cycling of which she is Managing Director. And just last year, as a natural continuation of CPA Women's cycling, Cappellotto founded “Road to Equality”, the amateur sports association that, through cycling, promotes women's emancipation in developing countries and in all those where women do not enjoy rightsAnd it is thanks to his association that 14 Afghans have found refuge in Veneto.
A dream has come true
As we all know, since August 2021, Afghanistan has entered a new and sad phase of its history. Following the return of the Taliban regime, women are deprived of all fundamental rights, including the right to compete in sports. For them, therefore, the only way out was to flee... But the cry for help from some Afghan cyclists, including Yuldoz and Fariba Ashimi, did not go unheard., and thanks to the collaboration of the Farnesina it was possible to bring the girls and their families to safety.
«Yuldoz and Fariba Ashimi still have to taking the measure of European cycling – declared Alessandra Cappellotto – a journey that could last a few years, but being here with us, safe, and continuing with their passion is the most important result. My association welcomed them precisely to give them an opportunity for redemption.Cycling has been their salvation. They're living a dream, and participating in the first gravel world championship has already been a huge success."
A highly symbolic shirt
Yuldoz and Fariba, 19 and 21 years old respectively, competed in the first Gravel World Championships in the Elite category wearing the Afghan jersey, recognized by the UCI and highly symbolic because it is the one worn by Afghan athletes before the Taliban took power. Thanks to the support of Alessandra Cappellotto and her association, Cyclists Lija Laizane (Latvia) and Nicole D'Agostin (Italy) also participated in the World Championships, respectively in the Elite Women's cycling and Masters 19-34 age categories. Professional Ljia earned 16th place, while Nicole even reached the podium, earning a beautiful bronze medal!
"I'm delighted," Cappellotto added, "that Road to Equality was able to help four cyclists from three different nations participate in these world championships. Seeing the two Afghan sisters, Yuldoz and Fariba, wear their nation's jerseys, specially made by our friends at the Vicenza-based company. Saby Sport It was like a dream come true. They competed with determination and finished the race in 33rd and 39th place respectively.A huge thank you goes to the Road to Equality collaborators, to all the people who donate their time to the athletes, some to pedal with them, some to help them with their daily tasks, some to help them with their studies, but since it is a sporting event I would especially like to thank the sports director Maurizio Dal Santo for his tireless commitment».
