On the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace (IDSDP), Iranian taekwondo athlete Ali Noghandoost, an Olympic Solidarity Refugee Athlete Scholarship-Holder hoping to qualify for the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 with the Refugee Olympic Team, reflects on his journey from Iran to Europe and how sport has helped him to rebuild his life.

As the world celebrates the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace (IDSDP) today, 6 April, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) underlines the paramount role that sport plays in supporting global recovery efforts from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Greece has always had a special place in Olympic history. Between 776 BC and 393 AD, it hosted the ancient Olympic Games in Olympia. Then, more than 15 centuries later, it hosted the first edition of the modern Games in Athens, in 1896. 

From Olympic gold medallists and world champions to trailblazers and history-makers, there are countless inspirational female athletes who have been hosting Olympian and Paralympian Online Experiences on Airbnb’s platform, providing unique insights on training, motivation, mindset and more. In celebration of Women’s History Month, the IOC joins Worldwide Olympic Partner Airbnb in shining a spotlight on some of these extraordinary women.

In the latest article in our series on inspirational women and men who have tackled barriers to gender equality and overcome obstacles to promote women in leadership roles, the IOC speaks to Zainab Hussaini, Country Manager at the non-profit organisation Skateistan in Afghanistan and a marathon runner.