Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, May 2, 2024: Dorsa Yavarivafa, IOC Refugee Scholarship Holder in badminton for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, has been selected to the IOC Refugee Olympic Team, the Badminton World Federation reports.
Yavarivafa will be the second badminton player to represent the IOC Refugee Olympic Team after Syria-born Aram Mahmoud, who participated in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
IOC President Thomas Bach announced the news from Olympic House in Lausanne on Thursday, May 2. Bach congratulated all the members of the Refugee Olympic Team, hailing their persistence and courage in the face of adversity.
The Iran-born Yavarivafa has been based in the United Kingdom over the last four years and has been training in Birmingham after enrolling for a sports science and fitness course at Sandwell College.
Reacting to the official announcement by IOC, a delighted Yavarivafa said: “I cannot believe it. Going to the Olympics is what I have always dreamed about. My mum told me if I was willing to work hard then I could make it happen. I want to make every refugee and badminton fan proud.”
In a video on the BWF website, she says her father inspired her to take up badminton as it was her one sports love.
A total of 36 athletes from 11 different countries - hosted by 15 National Olympic Committees and competing across 12 sports - were named as members of the Refugee Olympic Team heading to the French capital.
The Refugee Athlete Scholarships funding has helped Yavarivafa compete in several international tournaments from September 2023 onwards.
(BWF)