The Refugee Olympic Team will participate in the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris for the third time since its creation. This year, the team comprises 37 refugee athletes from 11 different countries, showcasing the spirit of resilience and determination. Hosted by 15 National Olympic Committees, these athletes will compete across 12 sports, bringing attention to the global refugee crisis as they strive for excellence on an international stage.
As they prepare for the upcoming games, the athletes represent a diverse range of backgrounds, including individuals from Iran, Afghanistan, Syria, South Sudan, Sudan, Eritrea, the Congo, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Venezuela, and Cuba. The abbreviation EOR stands for Equipe Olympique des Réfugiés, the French term for the Refugee Olympic Team. This initiative, founded in 2016, serves not just as a platform for competition, but as a powerful message of hope for millions of displaced individuals worldwide.
During a recent virtual meeting, International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach emphasized the importance of the Refugee Olympic Team, stating that it serves as a beacon of hope amidst global migration and rising anti-immigration sentiment. His words resonate with the athletes, who aim to demonstrate their resilience and excellence through their participation in the Olympics. This year presents a unique opportunity for them to showcase their talent and redefine perceptions of refugees around the globe.
What You Will Learn
- The Refugee Olympic Team's history and significance in the Olympic movement.
- The profiles and backgrounds of the athletes competing in the 2024 Games.
- The challenges faced by refugees and how sports can bring hope and unity.
- The role of the IOC in promoting inclusivity and support for displaced athletes.
The EOR was initially created for the 2016 Rio Olympics, and they also participated in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. To be eligible for the team, athletes must be high-level competitors in their respective sports and recognized as refugees in their host countries by the UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency. This year’s Chef de Mission, Masomah Ali Zada, is a cyclist from Afghanistan who previously competed as part of the EOR in the Tokyo 2020 Games.
Ali Zada expressed her pride in representing not only the athletes but also the more than 100 million displaced people around the world. She believes that the Olympics offer a chance to showcase the incredible capabilities of refugees and change the narrative surrounding their experiences.
Here is a full list of the athletes, what category they will compete in, and their country of origin:
- Dominic Lobalu - Athletics - South Sudan
- Dorian Keletela - Athletics - the Congo
- Musa Suliman - Athletics - Sudan
- Jamal Abdelmaji Eisa Mohammed - Athletics - Sudan
- Tachlowini Gabriyesos - Athletics - Eritrea
- Mohammad Amin Alsalami - Athletics - Syria
- Perina Lokure - Athletics - South Sudan
- Farida Abaroge - Athletics - Ethiopia
- Dorsa Yavarivafa - Badminton - Iran
- Omid Ahmadisafa - Boxing - Iran
- Cindy Ngamba - Boxing - Cameroon
- Manizha Talash - Breaking - Afghanistan
- Amir Rezanejad Hassanjani - Canoe Slalom - Iran
- Fernando Dayan Jorge Enriquez - Canoe Sprint - Cuba
- Saeid Fazloula - Canoe Sprint - Iran
- Saman Soltani - Canoe Sprint - Iran
- Amir Ansari - Road Cycling - Afghanistan
- Eyeru Gebru - Cycling Road - Ethiopia
- Mohammad Rashnonezhad - Judo - Iran
- Arab Sibghatullah - Judo - Afghanistan
- Adnan Khankan - Judo - Syria
- Muna Dahouk - Judo - Syria
- Nigara Shaheen - Judo - Afghanistan
- Mahboubeh Barbari Zharfi - Judo - Iran
- Francisco Edilio Centeno Nieves - Shooting - Venezuela
- Luna Solomon - Shooting - Eritrea
- Alaa Maso - Swimming - Syria
- Matin Balsini - Swimming - Iran
- Hadi Tiran - Taekwondo - Iran
- Yahya Al-Ghotany - Taekwondo - Syria
- Farzad Mansouri - Taekwondo - Afghanistan
- Kasra Mehdipournejad - Taekwondo - Iran
- Dina Pouryounes Langeroudi - Taekwondo - Iran
- Ramiro Mora - Weightlifting - Cuba
- Yekta Jamali Galeh - Weightlifting - Iran
- Iman Mahdavi - Wrestling - Iran
- Jamal Valizadeh - Wrestling - Iran
The refugee team invited runner Dominic Lobalu, originally from South Sudan, to compete as part of their team after he was disallowed from competing for his new home country Switzerland. The IOC confirmed that Lobalu had accepted the offer and will be a member of the EOR, showcasing the spirit of inclusivity and support for athletes facing challenges due to their status as refugees.
As the world watches the Refugee Olympic Team, it serves as a reminder of the strength, hope, and resilience that these athletes embody. Their participation is not just about competition; it’s about inspiring millions and changing perceptions of refugees globally.
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