Taliban government does not recognize Afghanistan's three female Olympians, despite the IOC's invitation.

Taliban's sports department spokesman Atal Mashwani says the Taliban government does not recognize the three female athletes representing Afghanistan at the upcoming Paris Olympics. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) invited six Afghan athletes, including three women, after consulting with Afghanistan's largely exiled national Olympic committee. The Taliban claims girls' sports have been halted in Afghanistan and thus cannot participate in the national team.