Refugee Olympic Team

Refugee Olympic Team: Victory at Paris 2024!

As the Paris 2024 Olympics concluded, the Refugee Olympic Team (ROT) once again captured the world’s attention. The team not only creates a rare opportunity for stateless athletes to compete at the highest level, it also brings an important message of hope and resilience.

Creation of the Refugee Olympic Team

The ROT was first introduced in 2016 by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to offer a platform for athletes who had been forced to leave their countries due to conflict, persecution, or political instability. Instead of representing a single nation, the athletes compete under the Olympic flag. The Refugee Olympic Team have competed in Rio de Janeiro 2016, Tokyo 2020, and now Paris 2024. This year 55 athletes from 13 different host countries competed in a range of sports including athletics, boxing, judo, swimming, and cycling, and originated from countries such as Syria, Afghanistan, South Sudan, and Cameroon.

How does it work?

In addition to meeting standard Olympic qualification criteria, athletes who want to be part

of the ROT must first be formally recognized as refugees by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The team and athletes then receive support from the IOC through its Olympic Solidarity program, as well as other Olympic committees, the UNHCR, NGOs, and corporate sponsors.

Cindy Ngamba makes history!

At the Paris 2024 Olympics, the ROT included standout athletes in several disciplines. Among them was Cindy Ngamba, a Cameroonian boxer competing in the middleweight category. Ngamba, who fled Cameroon due to conflict, has been based in the UK since 2018. Competing in the women’s 75kg boxing category, Ngamba made history when she won a bronze medal, making her the first athlete from the ROT to ever win an Olympic medal!

Looking to the future

The ROT is not about emotional symbolism but about providing real opportunities for displaced athletes to demonstrate their talents. With their success at Paris 2024, the team continues to prove that refugees are not defined by their hardships but by their ability to overcome and thrive. Looking ahead, the team will remain a vital part of future Olympic Games – we can’t wait to see the team at Los Angeles 2028!