More than 700 Olympic community members still in Afghanistan

Gulf Today Report

The International Olympic Committee said on Tuesday more than 700 members of its community remains in danger in Afghanistan under the Taliban regime.

In September, IOC president Thomas Bach said all Afghan Tokyo Games athletes as well as two hoping to qualify for the 2022 Winter Olympics had left the country.

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The new Taliban government began work in Afghanistan earlier last month, after the militant group ousted the US-backed administration on August 15.

"They are mainly women and girls practising sport, as well as those supporting them and promoting women's access to sport," the IOC said.

"With regard to these members of the Afghan Olympic Community, the IOC is continuing its assistance in two different ways.

Meanwhile, the Chinese capital in February will become the first host of a Summer and Winter Games and last week welcomed the Olympic flame with a low-key ceremony as the main event swings into view.

There was no sign of dissent in strictly controlled China, but the flame-lighting ceremony in Greece was disrupted by a small number of activists who brandished a Tibetan flag and a banner saying "no genocide".