LIFTING THE VEIL
SOME CITIES HAVE TRIED TO BAN WOMEN FROM CYCLING
a little bemused – that was my reaction when I first met Faranak Partoazar. From what we see in the media, the idea of women racing bikes in the Islamic Republic of Iran seems absurd. Yet, here was a multiple-time national cross-country champion with hopes of competing internationally. This confident rider was a far cry from the stereotypical image of veiled and oppressed Muslim womanhood. Six years on, she’s raced a handful of World Cups and has her sights set on competing at the 2024 Olympics. I caught up with
