The Refugee Paralympic team made an unforgettable history at Paris 2024

The Refugee Paralympic

The Paralympics was first held in 1960, later, the International Paralympic Committee was founded in 1989. At the Rio 2016 Olympics, the Olympic Refugee team manifested their dream to showcase their potency in sports by crossing the borders. In 2024, the Refugee Paralympic team secured their first-ever medals in Paris. This historical moment symbolizes the resilience and strength of refugees worldwide. The Refugee Paralympic team consisted of eight athletes from diverse refugee backgrounds who have competed in six different sports, athletics, swimming, para taekwondo, para canoeing, and more. The athletes have their origin from the countries, Syria, Iran, Afghanistan, Cameroon, and Colombia. With eight refugee athletes and one guide, they have taken home two medals which is a historic moment in the Paralympics 2024, Paris.

With the first-ever Bronze medal at the Paralympics 2024, Zakia becomes the first-ever Refugee Paralympic athlete to win a medal. She made a lap around by holding a flag under which the Refugee Paralympic team competes.

“Now is important. Now I am a bronze medallist”, she added.

Junior Atangana has given a strong note,

“Anything is possible. I want to show the world that being blind doesn’t mean your life is over; you can still do great things”

The Refugee Olympic Team

The IOC (International Olympic Committee) Refugee Olympic Team represents the people who have been displayed forcibly for many reasons, who are more than 100 million in population. They have competed and showcased their ability in different sports, weightlifting, athletics, taekwondo, and more. In the Refugee Olympic team, the athletes hail from eleven different countries which are Iran, Syria, Sudan, South Sudan, Eritrea, Afghanistan, The Congo, Ethiopia, Cameroon, Venezuela, and Cuba.  

Cindy Ngamba became the first-ever Olympian to win a medal for the Refugee Olympic Team. She has won a Bronze medal in Women’s Boxing under 75kg category.

Their victories have set the stage for future refugee athletes. These teams demonstrated to the world the importance of giving empowerment to an individual who can dwell in their respective field, even if they are displaced due to both internal and external factors. This legacy will inspire the athletes who will participate in the Los Angeles 2028 meet.