Olympic athletes fleeing the Taliban rule in Afghanistan are finding new home in Australia

• Australia has relocated five Afghan athletes and their families fleeing Taliban rule.
• Afghanistan's flag-bearer at the Tokyo Olympics, Kimia Yousofi, is among those relocated.

Australia has relocated Afghan Olympic sprinter Kimia Yousofi and other athletes and their families, fleeing Taliban rule.

The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) said Wednesday that five Afghan families with "ties to the Olympic movement" had recently arrived in Australia following a year-long effort to bring them to safety.

In total 31 people have been relocated, including Yousofi, who was Afghanistan's flag-bearer at the Tokyo Olympics, and the Asian Games medalist in taekwondo Ahmad Abasy.

"For the families involved, the stress and uncertainty over this time has been enormous," AOC Chief Executive Matt Carroll said in a statement.

"These brave people have endured significant hardship, and we are so pleased that our efforts have been successful. Many have spent time in locations outside Afghanistan, and it's wonderful to now have them on Australian soil. All arrived happy, if exhausted."

The AOC said it liaised with the Australian government to secure visas and flights for the Afghan arrivals, while the International Olympic Committee (IOC) provided financial support.

Each group was provided with "shopping vouchers and support packages of clothing" by sponsors and other suppliers upon arrival.

The AOC said it is now "looking at employment and educational opportunities" for the athletes and their families.

It added that all families relocated faced "significant risk had they remained in Afghanistan as a consequence of their support for the participation of women in sport and education."

Girls and women's sports has been outlawed by the Taliban government, with women effectively confined to their homes.

"It's a proud moment for the Olympic movement in Australia that we have them here, safe and settling well," said Carroll.

Yousofi said she was grateful for the help of the Australian government and the AOC in relocating her and her family and that she hopes she can now compete at her third Olympic Games.

"It's been a journey for me, but I am very happy to be here," she said. "I am essentially starting a new life here. I am going to be training very hard, and it would be exciting to go to Paris – I am definitely going to be competing."

This isn't the first time Australia has helped relocate Afghan athletes and their families.

The country evacuated more than 70 female Afghan athletes, officials, and family members when the Taliban rose to power last August.