Amir Ansari (cyclist) explained

Amir Ansari
امیر انصاری
Full Name:Amir Arslan Ansari
Birth Date:[1]
Birth Place:Iran
Currentteam:Stockholm CK
Discipline:Road
Role:Rider
Amateuryears1:2017–
Amateurteam1:Stockholm CK

Amir Arslan Ansari (; born 26 August 1999) is a road cyclist, who was born in Iran and grew up in Afghanistan. He was selected for the 2024 Olympic Games as part of the International Olympic Committee's Refugee Olympic Team.[2]

Early life

Born in Iran, he grew up in Afghanistan but fled as a teenager in 2015 and lived as a refugee in Sweden. He had a background in mountain biking in Afghanistan, and in Sweden joined Stockholm Cycling Club. The Swedish Olympic Committee has supported him through the IOC’s Olympic Solidarity programme.[3] [4]

Career

He has competed as part of the Stockholm CK team and UCI Refugee Team.[5] He competed in the Men’s time trial at the 2023 UCI Road World Championships in Glasgow.[6] He also competed in the Mixed team relay in Glasgow for the World Cycling Centre.[7]

In August 2023, the Olympic Refuge Foundation (ORF) announced him as one of ten new refugee athletes awarded scholarships to help them train towards the Olympic Games Paris 2024.[8] In May 2024, he was named as part of the Refugee Olympic Team for the 2024 Paris Olympics.[9]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Amir Ansari . Eurosport. 28 May 2024 .
  2. Web site: Amir Ansari. 28 May 2024. Pro Cycling Stats.
  3. Web site: Amir Ansari. Olympics.com. 28 May 2024.
  4. Web site: IOC Refugee Olympic Team to represent more than 100 million displaced people at the Olympic Games Paris 2024. unhcr.org. 28 May 2024. 2 May 2024.
  5. Web site: 36 athletes from 11 countries form Refugee Olympic Team for Paris 2024. Global Cycling Network. 28 May 2024. James. Howell-Jones. 2 May 2024.
  6. Web site: 'It was like a dream': Refugee cyclists reflect on world championships. Stv.tv. 28 May 2024. Fraser. Nicoll. 23 August 2023.
  7. Web site: Refugees racing World Championships send hope back home. Laura. Weislo. August 9, 2023. 28 May 2024. Cycling News.
  8. Web site: 10 new refugee athletes get scholarships ahead of Paris Olympics. 29 August 2023. Sportanddev.org. 28 May 2024.
  9. Web site: Zachary. Gates. Cyclist from war-torn Afghanistan among 36 members of IOC refugee team for Paris 2024. Nine.com. 28 May 2024.