After fleeing war and persecution in their home countries, 37 athletes from 11 nations will compete in the Paris Olympic Games as part of the Refugee Olympic Team. This is the third time the refugee team will be competing, having previously participated in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro and 2020 Tokyo Games. The team has nearly tripled in size since 2016, growing from 10 to 37 members, and includes athletes from 11 countries who live and train in 13 host countries. 

The team was originally created for the Rio Olympics in 2016 as a symbol of hope and to draw attention to the plight of refugees worldwide. These athletes compete under the same flag but speak different languages and come from various parts of the world. 

In Paris, refugee athletes will step into the spotlight during a period when a record number of individuals have been forced to leave their homes.Hundreds of millions of people—many forcibly displaced—are working to reinvent themselves just as these athletes have.

At the Games, athletes will compete in a host country where the anti-immigration far-right party saw a surge in voter support in the parliamentary elections but was ultimately thwarted by a coalition of the French left and failed to win a majority. The refugee athletes will compete in 12 sports, but for many, their journey to Paris is already a victory in itself.

Why is there a Refugee Olympic Team?

In 2015, 65 million people had been displaced from their homes as a result of conflict or natural disaster. In that year, more than one million refugees entered Europe after fleeing wars in the Middle East, Africa and Central Asia.

During the Rio 2016 Olympics, Yusra Mardini, a Syrian swimmer who fled her war-torn country, represented the Refugee Olympic Team. Her participation garnered significant media attention, highlighting the resilience and determination of refugees.

In an interview with BBC Sport, Yusra discussed the personal and collective significance of her journey and competition: “Every time I swim, I remember that I am not just swimming for myself but for all the people who are suffering. My story is not only my story; it is the story of many people who are looking for hope.”

The 10 athletes who competed in Rio de Janeiro came from Syria, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Ethiopia.

Following the success of the 2016 team, the IOC decided to enter an IOC refugee team in the 2020 Tokyo games (postponed one year due to COVID-19).

The Refugee Olympic Team highlights the resilience and determination of refugees, who have overcome tremendous obstacles to not only survive but thrive in competitive sports.

But it's important to remember that these refugee athletes are more than just symbols or feel-good stories. They are individuals with their own unique stories, talents, hopes and dreams.

Who is competing on the Refugee Olympic Team? Where are they from?

The athletes are selected from refugees supported by the IOC through the Olympic Scholarships for Refugee Athletes program. 

The 37 athletes come from Syria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, Eritrea,Venezuela, Iran,Afghanistan, andCameroon. Many of these countries are in the midst of conflict or civil wars, making it too dangerous for the Olympians to return. 

The team represents 12 sports including athletics, badminton, boxing, canoeing, cycling, judo, karate, taekwondo, sport of shooting, swimming, weightlifting, and wrestling.

The Refugee Olympic Team for the 2024 Paris Games comprises 37 athletes from 11 different countries, competing in 12 sports.

Learn more about the athleteshere.

Meet the athletes

Yekta Jamali Galeh, a weightlifter originally from Iran, reflects on her journey and motivation: "Every woman is strong, you just have to keep going... Why shouldn’t they do weightlifting? Don’t listen to what other people say", she told Olympics.com.

“Competing in the Olympics as a refugee athlete is not just about winning medals; it’s about proving that no matter where we come from, we can achieve our dreams with hard work and determination." says Rami Anis from Syria. Anis will be competing in swimming at the 2024 Games.

"I never thought I would become a wrestler, let alone an Olympic athlete," says Muna Dahouk from Yemen. "But when I saw fellow refugees participating in sports and achieving their goals, it gave me hope and the courage to pursue my own dreams."

James Nyang Chiengjiek, who is a runner and a native of South Sudan, expresses, "My path from South Sudan to Paris has been arduous, yet it exemplifies the fortitude and perseverance of refugees globally. Competing in the Olympics is my tribute to that resilience."

These are just a few of the inspiring stories behind the Refugee Olympic Team for Paris 2024. Through their determination and resilience, these athletes have overcome incredible challenges and setbacks to reach this level of competition. They serve as role models not only for other refugees around the world, but for all individuals striving to achieve their dreams.

Why is the Refugee Olympic Team important?

The participation of refugee athletes in the Olympics not only gives them a platform to showcase their talents but also raises awareness about the plight of refugees globally. By competing alongside other nations' representatives, these athletes break barriers and stereotypes, showing that talent knows no borders.

Masomah Ali Zada, the Chef de Mission for the 2024 team and a former athlete herself, encourages her fellow athletes: "All of you had a dream, and today your dream to compete at the Olympic Games is closer than ever... With all the challenges that you have faced, you now have a chance to inspire a new generation, represent something bigger than yourselves and show the world what refugees are capable of."

With over 110 million displaced people worldwide, we are living in the worst refugee crisis since the Second World War.  By showcasing the incredible talent of already extraordinary people, the Refugee Olympic Team sends a powerful message of solidarity and hope. 

Join us as we cheer on the refugee team at the Olympics this year.