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