- The Olympic refugee team returns to Paris for the 2024 Games
- The group of athletes represents “1 in 100 million” displaced people
- Thirty-six stars have a chance of glory in France this summer
The Olympic refugee team will return to Paris this summer, where 36 athletes will get a ‘1 in 100 million’ chance of glory at the Games in France.
The team, made up of athletes who endured incredible hardships to reach the starting line, will compete alongside some of the world’s best talent for the third time, having made their Games debut in Rio de Janeiro eight years ago made.
The first team represented 60 million displaced people around the world. According to the UN, that figure has since skyrocketed to more than 100 million, inspiring the team’s slogan: “1 in 100 million.”
The likes of Cindy Ngamba (boxing), Dorsa Yavarivafa (badminton) and Ramiro Mora (weightlifting) will represent the team, which competes in events such as breaking, swimming and canoe sprint.
The Olympic refugee team will return to Paris this summer for the 2024 Games
“Qualifying for the Olympics – that means the world to me,” Ngamba said.
Ngamba was born in Cameroon and moved to Bolton in the United Kingdom at the age of 12. Her uncle lost her immigration papers when he returned to Cameroon and in 2019, Ngamba and her brother were detained while going to an immigration office.
The siblings were released the next day and Ngamba came out at the age of 18. As a result, she has no desire to move back to Cameroon, where it is illegal to be homosexual.
“Each member of the Olympic refugee team has different backgrounds and life experiences, but sport unites us,” she said. “We’re a family and we’re going to go out and support each other and show the world what we can do.”
Cameroon-born Cindy Ngamba will be one of 36 athletes representing the team
Athletes like Imam Mahdavi have been given a ‘1 in 100 million’ chance of participating
Weightlifter Mora was previously part of the Cuban team and once visited Britain as part of a circus troupe in which he performed as an aerialist.
In 2021, Mora applied for asylum in Britain after taking part in a political protest in Cuba.
He said: “I will be so proud when I step out with the Refugee Olympic Team emblem.
‘To represent myself, my journey, but also the thousands of people who are in similar circumstances to me.
“I hope seeing us at Paris 2024 will bring hope and inspiration to people everywhere.”
Other athletes, such as swimmer Alaa Maso and judo athlete Adnan Khankan, were forced to flee war-torn Syria to continue their Olympic dream. Dina Pouryounes found a house in the Netherlands after fleeing Iran in 2015.
IOC President Thomas Bach says the Games welcome the team with open arms
The team was created by the IOC to ensure that all athletes, regardless of their circumstances, have the opportunity to go to the Olympic Games.
“We welcome you all with open arms,” IOC President Thomas Bach told the 2024 team. ‘You are an enrichment for our Olympic Community and for our societies.
‘With your participation in the Olympic Games you demonstrate the human potential of resilience and excellence. This will send a message of hope to the more than 100 million displaced people around the world.
‘At the same time, you are making billions of people around the world aware of the scale of the refugee crisis.
“That’s why I encourage everyone, around the world, to join us in cheering for you – the IOC Refugee Olympic Team.”