FE News’ Post

⚠️ Caution: Olympics fever post ⚠️ Loving the Paris Games and seeing how extensive and diverse South Africa’s representation is :) From Tatjana’s swimming medals, Craig Fulton taking India hockey to the semi’s and now seeing 2 South Africans (Zeney Geldenhuys and Rogail Joseph) finish top 3 in the 400m hurdles heats I’m feeling big pride to be from this amazing country. As South Africans we have major challenges but we always show up. It speaks of an uncommon resilience, something you want from partners, whether in business or sport. Grit. Politically, we have a GNU which is finding its feet and the wheels of change are turning in government. We are once again leading the world by showing it is possible to share power and work together for a common goal. Paris 2024 claims to be about inclusivity and it is an integral part of the CI of these Games. That is an ideal close to my heart and one I can get behind (even if the opening ceremony made one or 2 poor judgement calls). Diversity is strength and in this beautiful country we have it in droves. We have athletes competing in the top percentile despite having a fraction of the budget other countries put into their sport. It’s an amazing feat to compete amongst the top athletes in the world. We represent on every level and in every field from sport to science, technology, business and the arts. Jis, it’s lekker to be a South African 🥳 Viva Azania, viva 🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦 #olympics #southafrica #diversity #inclusivity #olympicspirit

As the Paris Olympics approach, athletes representing Haiti have one eye on their country in upheaval, and the other eye on athletic glory. Two athletes, who could be Haiti's first male gymnast and first female boxer at the games, share their stories. #HaitianHeritageMonth #ayiti #haiti #news #haitian #haitianamerican #blackculture #culturalheritage #culturalpride #nbcnews #sports #sportnews #olympics #olympicsparis #olympics2024 #paris2024

https://lnkd.in/dkUvnjVm Was the Ghanaian Paralympic team seeking Olympic glory or simply a chance for a better life? This tragedy serves as a poignant reminder of the urgent need to address migration issues comprehensively. We must honor those who lost their lives and support those striving for a brighter future by creating a more equitable and compassionate migration system. 🌍💔 #MigrationCrisis #HumanRights #GhanaianParalympians Read more in my latest article.

📅 IMPORTANT UPDATE: RESCHEDULING OF THE AFRICAN PARALYMPIC COMMITTEE'S EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND CONFERENCE We are committed to providing a collaborative and efficient environment for all our stakeholders. In adherence to this commitment, we wish to inform our esteemed member organisations and delegates about the rescheduling of the African Paralympic Committee's Extraordinary General Assembly and Conference. 🗓 New Dates: 3rd - 4th June 2024. 📍 Location: Movenpick Ambassador Hotel, Accra-Ghana. This decision comes after careful consideration and consultation to accommodate more members and ensure maximum participation. Stressing the importance of this assembly, we aim to discuss crucial agendas that will shape the future of Paralympic sports across the continent. AGENDA OF THE ASSEMBLY: - Strategic Planning: Deliberation on the future objectives and milestones for the next quadrennial. - Inclusion Initiatives: Enhanced focus on increasing athlete participation and creating more opportunities at the grassroots level. - Governance Enhancements: Updating statutes to better meet the dynamic needs of our community. We understand the change in schedule may affect your plans, and we sincerely appreciate your flexibility and understanding. The decision is geared towards optimizing our collaboration and ensuring that all member voices are heard and valued. We look forward to your active participation and insightful contributions in June 2024. Together, we can achieve more and continue to inspire excellence and resilience in the Paralympic movement. 🔗 Stay engaged, share your thoughts below, and let’s prepare for a transformative assembly. #AfricanParalympicCommittee #ParalympicMovement #SportsForAll #InclusiveSport #RescheduledEvent #Rescheduling #EventPlanning #Paralympics

This is history in the making. Cindy Ngamba just became the first athlete from the Refugee Olympic team to take a medal. Having had the honor of working with women who are refugees or internally displaced at a few different points in my career, it is amazing and not at all surprising to see this. Refugee women are strong, resilient, compassionate, and resourceful. With the growing amount of displacement due to climate change disaster, conflict, famine, political upheaval and the rise of authoritarian governments we need to be constantly thinking through how to ensure that women refugees are included as co-designers and co-decision-makers in global development programs in each country. They know how to surmount difficult obstacles to achieve their objectives. https://lnkd.in/eguAXMem

🚣♂️🌍 Beyond Borders: The Olympic Debate Over What Defines a Refugee Athlete 🌍🚣♂️ The recent stance of the Cuban Olympic Committee demanding the exclusion of canoeist Fernando Dayán Jorge from the Paris 2024 Olympic Refugee Team has sparked widespread discussions. As someone personally connected to the Cuban diaspora, I find this situation particularly poignant. Jorge’s public criticisms of the Cuban government highlight the intersection of sports, personal freedom, and international diplomacy. The inclusion of athletes like Jorge on the Refugee Olympic Team—originally formed to highlight the plight of refugees—raises important questions about the criteria for being considered a refugee in sports. It challenges us to think beyond traditional scenarios of war, considering those escaping other forms of strife. This situation invites us to rethink how sports can serve as a sanctuary for those seeking new beginnings and underscores the need for a broader definition of “refugee” that encompasses various forms of displacement and insecurity. 🤔 How can the Olympic spirit of unity be better leveraged to support all athletes, particularly those who find themselves at the crossroads of personal upheaval and international attention? Let’s discuss how we can foster a more inclusive environment in global sports. https://lnkd.in/eECB_U6Q #Olympics2024, #RefugeeOlympicTeam, #SportsDiplomacy, #HumanRightsInSports, #CubanDiaspora, #OlympicControversy, #GlobalSports, #AthleteRights, #SportsPolitics, #InclusiveSports

As we celebrate the historic achievements of the #RefugeeParalympicTeam at #Paris2024, it’s important to recognize the profound challenges these athletes have faced. Zakia Khudadadi, an #Afghan para-taekwondo athlete, made history by winning the Refugee #Paralympics Team’s first ever medal, a bronze in the women’s K44 - 47kg division! As the first Afghan female taekwondo practitioner and the first Afghan woman to compete in an international sporting event since the Taliban takeover, Zakia's journey has been one of overcoming significant adversity. Guillaume Junior Atangana, a sprinter from #Cameroon, secured a bronze medal and achieved a personal best in the men’s 400m T11 final. A vision-impaired athlete, Junior’s performance was supported by his guide and fellow Cameroonian refugee athlete, Donard Ndim Nyamjua, demonstrating the exceptional dedication and teamwork involved. While #conflict may not always be the direct cause of #disability, it often compounds the difficulties faced by those already living with impairments – and sometimes it is the cause. Many individuals are forced to contend with the dual burdens of disability and #displacement due to conflict. The stories of Zakia, Guillaume and Donard underscore the urgent need for greater #inclusion and protection for all disabled individuals, particularly those affected by conflict. Their achievements are a call to action for a world where every person facing such profound challenges receives the support and recognition they deserve. #NaTakallam #WeSpeak #WithRefugees #CheerForRefugees #StartAConversation

You can achieve whatever you put your mind to.