Olympic Refuge Foundation’s Post

🌍 By the end of 2023, the Olympic Refuge Foundation has provided nearly 400,000 young people affected by displacement with access to safe sport—132,600 directly through our programs. 🗺 We've invested $23.9 million across 11 countries and mobilised more than140 organisations to empower refugees through sport as co-convenors of the Sport for Refugees Coalition. ➡️ Discover more in our 2023 Annual Report: https://lnkd.in/dTMBFCAu ⏭️ Support us here: https://lnkd.in/ehnmrQzb

🎙 Podcast of the Month: "Think Sport. Think Refuge." Missed our latest podcast series? There’s still time to catch up! The Olympic Refuge Foundation Think Tank launched the podcast "Think Sport. Think Refuge." delving into the stories of the IOC Refugee Olympic Team athletes and exploring the role of sport in the lives of displaced people worldwide. Hosted by ORF Think Tank Co-Chair Alastair Ager Ager, each episode features conversations with refugee athletes and experts who highlight how sport fosters belonging, and well-being for refugees. 1. Enabling Refugee Engagement in Sport 🏃♀️ Hear from Rose Nathike, IOC Refugee Olympic Team athlete, and Professor Simon Rosenbaum on how sport supports refugee communities from grassroots to elite levels. https://lnkd.in/duubbikt 2. The Role of Coaches in Supporting Refugee Athletes 🧠  Leslie Snider, MD, MPH and Cyrille Tchatchet II OLY discuss the importance of mental health, well-being, and the vital role of coaches. https://lnkd.in/d-847-54 3. Sport and Refugee Protection 🛡️ Sarah Harrison and Lam Joar share their experiences on how sport contributes to refugee protection and empowerment. https://lnkd.in/dfiXPgJM 4. Inclusion in Sport 🌍 Muna Dahouk and Gerald Mballe Mballe offer their insights on the inclusion of refugees, including broader issues like disability and gender. https://lnkd.in/dWsXb9Ar The music featured in this podcast has been produced by refugee dance coach Krisildo Guçe. 🎶 Whether you're passionate about sport, humanitarian work, or just looking for inspiring stories, this podcast series is a must-listen. 🎧 Let us know your thoughts! #thrivethroughsport #olympicrefuge

As a part of our monthly Game Changer Series from the Sport for Refugees Coalition, we’re proud to highlight the Hellenic Olympic Committee- where the Olympic values remain enduring! 🏛️ Two months after the Olympic torch was lit in Olympia in April, the Hellenic Olympic Committee hosted “Together in Sport- Together in Taekwondo” at the historic site of the Panathenaic Stadium.  🥋The event united refugee children with local youth from taekwondo clubs to promote social cohesion through sport. 🔗 Read more about their work here: https://lnkd.in/d_GBrbc9 #thrivethroughsport

🥹 Take us back!  Exactly one month ago, we were on the banks of the river Seine in Paris with the Refugee Olympic Team enjoying an evening at La Maison Airbnb on Jardins de Pont Neuf, in an event co-organised by Airbnb, Airbnb.org and the Olympic Refuge Foundation. Airbnb.org created personalized drawings of each of the 37 athletes of the Refugee Olympic Team, which were used to decorate the beautiful boat setting. ⛴️🎨 Speaking at the event, Jojo Ferris, Head of ORF said: “Much like Airbnb, the Refugee Olympic Team was born out of an idea – a different way of seeing the world. As Airbnb and the Olympic Refuge Foundation we are aligned on our values and commitment to creativity and through this shared approach of collaboration we will continue to work together to find a sense of belonging for young people affected by displacement." Airbnb and Airbnb.org support the work of the ORF having donated financially and in kind to the Foundation and allowing all 74 Refugee Athlete Scholarship-holders to benefit from the Airbnb Athlete Travel Grant. Airbnb has also supported previous members of the Refugee Olympic Team with temporary housing to allow them to pursue their education and training. 🏡✈️🎓 Thank you to Airbnb and Airbnb.org for the ongoing support and making Paris extra special for the athletes through these beautiful memories. ❤ 🎨 Designs by the talented Nathan Bell

Meet Guillaume Junior Atangana: The Paralympic Refugee Team’s second-ever medallist! 🥉    The vision impaired sprinter made history by obtaining bronze in the men’s 400m T11 at the Stade de France. His guide, Donard Ndim Nyamjua, is also fellow refugee.    Atangana joins Zakia Khudadadi, who also won bronze in taekwondo last week. Congratulations Guillaume! 🫶 International Paralympic Committee UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency #thrivethroughsport #forthe100million

🏅🎉 Celebrating firsts! 🎉🏅 Zakia Khudadadi’s medal was historic. Together with Cindy Ngamba, they have earned the first medals for the Refugee Paralympic Team and Refugee Olympic Team. 🥉 Speaking after her competition, Zakia said: “It is a great honour because I am representing millions of refugees who have disabilities” Since arriving in France, Zakia has participated in the Olympic Refuge Foundation’s Terrains d'Avenir programme . Today, she uses her experience to coach young people in the same programme. 🌱 Congratulations, Zakia! We’re incredibly proud of you! 👏 Learn more about the Terrains d’Avenir programme here: https://lnkd.in/d-sGkFWR International Paralympic Committee UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency #thrivethroughsports #forthe100million #CheerforRefugees

Second medal for the Refugee Paralympic Team! 🥉  Refugee athlete Guillaume Junior Atangana and guide runner and fellow refugee Donard Ndim Nyamjua came third in the men’s 400m T11 at Paris’ Stade de France on Sunday with a personal best time of 50:89. Speaking after the competition, Atangana said:  “I am very happy to have this medal. It shows that the Paralympic movement is galvanising for refugees and it is an honour for me: I wrote my name in history. The message I have for all refugees in the world is to believe in yourself!” Congratulations to Atangana, Donard and the entire Refugee Paralympic Team! 👏 #forthe100million #thrivethroughsport   International Paralympic Committee UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency 📸 Photo Credit: Ezra Shaw / Getty Images

🏅 Congratulations, Zakia Khudadadi! 🏅 Yesterday, Zakia Khudadadi made history by winning the first ever medal for the Refugee Paralympic Team. She achieved bronze in the women’s K44 -47 kg taekwondo competition. 🥋 🥉 Members of our Board, UNHCR High Commissioner Filippo Grandi, and World Taekwondo President Dr. Chungwon Choue were thrilled to be there to celebrate with the supportive French crowds! Zakia, your victory is a testament to your resilience and an inspiration to us all! 👏 📸 Photo Credit: Steph Chambers & David Ramos / Getty Images International Paralympic Committee UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency #thrivethroughsports  #forthe100million

📩 The IOC Refugee Olympic Team has a special message for the Refugee Paralympic Team! 📩 Ahead of the Opening Ceremony of Paralympic Games this evening- Paris 2024 Refugee Olympic Team athletes are sending all their support! 💪 Good luck to Zakia, Guillaume, Ibrahim, Salman, Hadi Darvish, Sayed, Amelio and Hadi Hassanzada- we’ll be rooting for you! 💙💚❤️ International Paralympic Committee UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency #OlympicRefuge #TeamRefugee #thrivethroughsport