On Tuesday, the IOC announced that boxer Ngamba and taekwondo athlete Al-Ghotany would bring The IOC flag represents the Olympic committee’s team. at the opening ceremony.
“Boxer Cindy and taekwondo fighter Yahya will bring [IOC] flag, not representing one country, but more than 120 million displaced people worldwide,” United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees said in an online statement.
Representing refugees
Ms Ngamba was born in Cameroon and moved to the UK when she was 11, while Mr Al-Ghotany left Syria with his family as a child after war broke out.
Both athletes are recipients of the Refugee Athletes Scholarship funded by the IOC’s Olympic Solidarity initiative and have spoken out about their pride in representing refugees around the world.
“I am so honored to represent this special team and carry the flag for millions of us around the world,” said Ngamba. “My biggest hope is that at the Olympics this year, we can make people stand up and take notice. Show them what refugees can do – because we have some big ambitions.”
Sharing similar sentiments, Mr Al-Ghotany said: “At the Opening Ceremony, I will be thinking about everyone who has helped me on my journey – friends, family – and the more than 100 million people around the world who, like me, have had to leave their homes. I represent all of them.“
UNHCR said the participation of refugees at the Olympic Games demonstrates their resilience and excellence, and is a symbol of hope and inclusion.
Olympic Awards
At the IOC’s official Session on Tuesday, it was also announced that UNHCR High Commissioner Filippo Grandi, will become the third person to receive the Olympic Laurel Award. – an award created to “honor outstanding individuals for their achievements in education, culture, development and peace through sport”.
IOC President Thomas Bach said the head of UNHCR “has supported like never before the important role of sport in the integration, sense of belonging and physical and mental health of refugees.”
He noted that following the announcement of the IOC Refugee Olympic Team for the 2016 Rio Olympics at the United Nations General Assembly, he sought Mr. Grandi’s support as the incoming United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
Mr Grandi was an enthusiastic supporter of the initiative and later joined the Olympic Refuge Fund Board as Vice President in 2017, he said.
“I am very proud to accept this award on behalf of my colleagues at UNHCR and for the millions of people around the world who have been forced to flee their homes,” said Mr Grandi.
The High Commissioner will be presented with the award at the Olympics opening ceremony on Friday.
Let the games begin…
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres will travel to Paris for the Olympics on Friday.
In a video message welcoming people to the Games released on Tuesday, the Secretary-General praised the power of sport and its ability to unite people and bring hope.
His exhortation to those following the “spirit of the Olympic truce” was to build bridges and promote solidarity “and strive for the ultimate goal: peace for all.”
During his trip to Paris, Mr. Guterres will meet IOC President Bach and hold bilateral meetings.
