Samaneh Bayrami Baher, a 26-year-old athlete, will proudly march in Pyeongchang for the 2018 Winter Games as one of only four representatives of Iran. Securing a spot in the 23rd Olympic Games was no easy task for Samaneh, the sole female member of Iran’s national cross-country skiing team. Limited financial resources and a lack of ski training facilities in Iran posed significant challenges. Unlike top skiers who train year-round, Iranian athletes have only three months of snowy mountains for practice. Due to the scarcity of snow this year, Samaneh had to travel to Armenia and Turkey for training. Although Samaneh initially loved swimming and excelled in international competitions, skiing became her true passion, fueling her dream of competing in the Olympics. In adherence to Iran’s customs, she wears a hijab and a skirt while skiing, as required for women in the Islamic Republic. Cross-country skiing is one of the most demanding events in the Winter Olympics, involving scaling mountains for long distances in freezing temperatures. Despite the overwhelming challenges, Samaneh remains determined to perform her best and make her country proud.
On the way to Pyeongchang
Mohammadali Najib
