Afghanistan, Linna’s escape helped by the judo family: “In Kabul I risked death”

“Judo more than sport” is certainly one of the most apt slogans. Undoubtedly this is the case for the IJF, the international judo federation, which made it its own to promote the innovative line of Marius Vizer, the president who in 2007 took over from the Korean Yong Sung Park, revolutionizing the entire organizational and management system. It was “Judo more than sport” also in 2012 in London, when the Saudi judoka Wodjan Shaherkani participated in the Olympics without having to remove the hijab, the veil: the very complex and articulated question gave rise to a long negotiation between IOC and IJF which was resolved by designing and making Wodjan wear a special veil able to guarantee the safety of the athlete. It was “Judo more than sport” also at the 2019 World Championships in Tokyo, when Saeid Mollaei, Iranian and reigning world champion, was “invited” to retire from the race by his sports and political leaders to avoid meeting with the Israeli Sagi Muki. Marius Vizer The athlete fled to Germany where he obtained political refugee status and a few months later acquired Mongolian citizenship.

THE STORY OF LINNA

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But there is the whole spirit of the motto “Judo more than sport” also in the story of Linna, a woman like many who in Afghanistan were suddenly forced to resign or flee. She chose the latter. Linna is also part of the IJF family, she was an athlete who later became a technician to follow hundreds of students in her country and actively collaborate with the “Judo for Freedom” initiative. She has long been fighting for Afghan women, especially for access to education, and is very active in sport, judo in particular. For months before the Taliban returned, he had been calling for help, but when the government fell, Afghanistan turned into a very dangerous place to live. “I managed to escape from Kabul – Linna said exhausted as soon as I landed -. At the airport in the crowd and chaos I lost my shoes and left barefoot while there were shootings around me. I was forced to leave my country because the danger of death is imminent. I tried and it went well “.

JUDO AS A FAMILY

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Linna’s request for help had set in motion a chain of solidarity that started from Bavaria, then to the IJF and the German Judo Federation which, together, created a network of contacts useful to favor the success of the operation. “It is great news to know that Linna is safe after a very complicated departure from Afghanistan – was the satisfied comment of Marius Vizer -. I would like to thank the German authorities, the Deutscher Judo Verband and all those who worked behind the scenes for allow Linna to reach Europe. Knowing that our Judo-family has managed to intervene even in these circumstances is really good news “. There are many people who collaborated so that everything could go well, and even if Linna has left everything without the possibility of returning, now she can start a new life and can count on the affection of the Judo family that yes, it is “more than to sport “.