Lausanne, Switzerland, May 2, 2024: Thirty-six athletes from 11 different countries, hosted by 15 National Olympic Committees and competing across 12 sports, were named Thursday, May 2 as members of the IOC Refugee Olympic Team for Paris 2024.
The announcement was made by the IOC President, Thomas Bach, during a live-streamed ceremony from Olympic House in Lausanne, Switzerland. Appearing at the Olympic Games for the third time, the IOC Refugee Olympic Team will represent the more than 100 million displaced people around the world.
“We welcome all of you with open arms. You are an enrichment to our Olympic Community, and to our societies,” the IOC President said.
“With your participation in the Olympic Games, you will 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 will make billions of people around the world aware of the magnitude of the refugee crisis. Therefore, I encourage everyone, around the world, to join us in cheering for you – the IOC Refugee Olympic Team.”
Refugee Olympic Team Chef de Mission Masomah Ali Zada, who competed for the Refugee Olympic Team at Tokyo 2020, added: “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.
“I want to tell you: this will be your moment in Paris, enjoy it. I am looking forward to working with all of you to make this the experience of a lifetime.”
For the first time, the Refugee Olympic Team will compete under its own team emblem – a unifying symbol bringing together diverse athletes and giving the team its own unique identity.
For the full list of athletes, see: https://olympics.com/ioc/news
