Afghanistan flag held high during Paralympic Games, despite Afghan athletes pulling out - USA TODAY

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Although Afghan athletes won't make an appearance, the Afghanistan flag stood tall during the Paralympics opening ceremony on Tuesday. 

The International Paralympic Committee president Andrew Parsons confirmed NPC Afghanistan will not compete at the 2020 Paralympics. The news comes shortly after the mass evacuations in the country due to the Taliban seizing Kabul. 

Parsons said various Afghan athletes pulled out of the Games because they couldn't leave the country. 

In a sign of solidarity to Afghan athletes, the IPC tweeted a photo of the Afghanistan flag being raised during the ceremony.

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Zakia Khudadadi was set to become the Afghanistan's first female Paralympian but the taekwondo fighter didn't make it to Tokyo. When the Taliban seized control of Kabul and the city's airport, Khudadadi and others were unable to leave the country. 

Arian Sadiqi, the Afghan Chef de Mission tweeted while he is heartbroken Afghan athletes were unable to find a safe passage to the Paralympics, he's thankful to see the Afghanistan flag held high.

 “Unfortunately, our athletes have impossible obstacles ahead of their I'mPOSSIBLE dreams," Sadiqi tweeted. 

I'mPOSSIBLE: value & the vision of the Paralympic Movement to young people throughout the world. Unfortunately, our athletes have impossible obstacles ahead of their I'mPOSSIBLE dreams.
We have to really think profoundly and ask ourselves, in what kind of world are we living?

— Arian Sadiqi (@ArianSadiqi) August 16, 2021

Following the Taliban's takeover, thousands in Afghanistan's have attempted to flee the country, many failing to do so. Parsons said the IPC monitored the photos and scene in Kabul and realized the athletes safety was in jeopardy.

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"It became clear to us right from the beginning that there will be no safe way to try to bring these athletes to Tokyo," Parsons told Reuters.

Afghan athletes were devastated by the news, some vocally asking for help. Hossain Rasouli, also a taekwondo fighter, was also set to compete. In a recent video from Reuters, Khudadadi is seen pleading with the public to help her make it to Tokyo in time. 

'My intention is to participate in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, please hold my hand and help me," Khudadadi said in the video.

Parsons said he saw the video and called the situation for Afgahn athletes "shattering."

"It is really sad and it really breaks my heart," Parsons said. "We would like to have them here, unfortunately, it is not possible, but they will be here in spirit."

Follow Gabriela Miranda on Twitter: @itsgabbymiranda

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2021-08-24 14:30:17Z