“Seeing them form a team is truly the spirit of the Olympic Games”, Club France honours the refugee team

Among the 206 teams competing in these Olympic Games, 36 belong to the Refugee Olympic Team. On Tuesday, eight of them were honored at the Club France in Paris.

The Refugee Olympic Team has only existed since 2016. It participated in the Rio Olympics in 2016 and Tokyo in 2021. In Paris, for its third participation, the delegation includes 36 athletes, engaged in 12 disciplines. On Tuesday, August 6, a special tribute was reserved for them at the Club France, in La Villette, in Paris: eight of them were cheered by the supporters.

A clapping, hearts with hands and loud applause. These athletes, not used to the light, enjoyed a triumphant welcome. This support, the athletes feel it every day since the opening ceremony. The wrestler Jamal Valizadeh, an Iranian refugee in France, confirms it: “When I entered the competition hall, the whole audience was applauding. It was magnificenthe says. Refugees sometimes have complicated situations and difficult conditions, but when you see the support of people, it’s touching.”

Jamal Valizadeh left his country ten years ago. In 2014, his mere presence at a demonstration in support of Iranian Kurds landed him in prison. Faced with threats, he fled. Other athletes have had to leave their homes because of their sexual orientation, for example. Journeys that command the respect of the French public. “I’m very moved to see people who risked their lives. To see them form a team, that’s really the spirit of the Olympic Games, for me.”explains Maryvonne, in the audience. She leaves with the eight autographs.

Since 2016, and the creation of this delegation for the Rio Olympics, financial support has been guaranteed to these athletes. And it is bearing fruit, notes Gonzalo Barrio, the team’s general manager. “These are people who no longer wanted to represent their home country, but could not yet represent the host country they were in. So their sporting career and their Olympic dream came to an abrupt end.”he recalls.

“We are now reaching a stage where we have athletes who are starting to be competitive and win medals.”

Gonzalo Barrio

to franceinfo

“We have identified hundreds of athletes, who are notably supported by the CNOSF (French National Olympic and Sports Committee). He supports four of them, both in sporting terms and administratively, to find accommodation and put them in touch with clubs and national federations.explains Gonzalo Barrio.

This first medal, historic for the refugee team, will be brought by boxer Cindy Ngamba, born in Cameroon. She is already assured of obtaining at least bronze.