The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has made a historic announcement less than two months before the Paris Games, revealing its largest refugee team.
Comprising 36 athletes from 11 different countries, this diverse group will compete across 12 sports during the upcoming Olympics. Representing nations such as several African countries, Syria, Iran, Afghanistan, Venezuela, and Cuba, the team marks the third instance of a Refugee Olympic Team participating in the Summer Olympics.
IOC President, Thomas Bach expressed profound significance in the moment, emphasizing the emotional resonance and symbol of hope this team represents for the over 100 million individuals who have been displaced worldwide. He hopes their presence on the Olympic stage will shed light on the magnitude of the global refugee crisis.
Each of the 36 athletes holds refugee status in their host nations, and their selection was based on a range of criteria including sporting performance, countries of origin, and gender diversity. The team consists of 23 men and 13 women, originating from countries across Africa, the Americas, and Asia. Among them are first-time Olympians, individuals who were part of the previous Refugee Olympic Team in Tokyo 2020, as well as athletes who previously represented their home countries before becoming refugees.
In a departure from the norm, the IOC Refugee Olympic Team will compete under its emblem—a heart at its center—rather than the Olympic flag. It will be recognized under the acronym EOR, derived from the French name “Equipe Olympique des Refugies.” The inception of the refugee team dates back to the 2016 Rio Olympics, where 10 athletes first competed under the initiative. In Tokyo three years ago, the team expanded to 29 athletes spanning across 12 sports, further solidifying its place in the Olympic movement as a beacon of inclusion and solidarity.
