Perina Lokure Nakang, a 21-year-old South Sudanese runner, went from running 9 miles near her refugee camp in Kenya to competing in the Paris Olympics. She is one of the 37 athletes on the Olympic refugee team advocating for more refugees to have the opportunity to participate in the Games. The team, formed at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, includes athletes from 11 countries who have fled conflict and adversity in their homelands.
Former refugee Olympians and UNHCR High Commissioner Filippo Grandi believe the refugee team symbolizes inclusion, equality, and achievement for displaced people worldwide. The team’s presence at the Paris Olympics highlights themes of diversity and inclusion during a time of significant global migration. The athletes aim to reclaim lost dreams and serve as active participants in their communities.
In a time when anti-immigration policies are a focus in France, the Olympic refugee team stands as a reminder of the importance of humane solutions for asylum-seekers. The presence of migrants in the city, particularly those living in homeless camps, has raised concerns about the treatment of displaced populations. Despite challenges, athletes like Yiech Pur Biel, who competed in the 2016 Rio Olympics and now advocates for refugees, see the Olympic platform as crucial in humanizing those who have been forced to flee their homes.
The goal of expanding refugee representation in the Olympics is to eventually eliminate the need for a refugee team, according to Biel. By demonstrating the abilities and talents of refugee athletes, the hope is to change perceptions and create opportunities for refugees to compete under their own nations’ flags. The athletes believe in the power of sports to restore dignity and identity to individuals who have faced displacement and adversity.
