For Immediate Release
August 26, 2004
Afghan Judo Athlete Praised
Fact of the Day
Friba Razayee, 19, is the first Afghan woman to compete in the
Olympics. Her Norwegian judo coach, Stig Ingemar Traavik, is pleased
at Friba's accomplishment, in spite of the fact that she was eliminated
in the first round of competition. Coach Traavik said: "[T]he most
serious thing is that finally the women in Afghanistan have the right
to compete with all the other women in the world. We are excited by
being here... We are constructing the sporting life in that country...
I'm very satisfied from my athlete's big fight." In 1992, Coach
Traavik competed in the Barcelona Olympics, and later was posted in
Kabul as a diplomat. Today he is dedicated to promoting sports in
Afghanistan, especially Judo.
SOURCE: www.athens2004.com
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