The Refugee Paralympic Team Grows for Paris 2024

At Paris 2024, the Refugee Paralympic team will include eight athletes and one guide runner, its largest ever. Guillaume Junior Atangana (r), who once represented Cameroon, now resides in Bradford.

The Refugee Paralympic Team (RPT) for Paris 2024 will be its largest yet, comprising eight athletes and one guide runner, selected by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC). This marks a significant increase from the team of two athletes at Rio 2016 and six at Tokyo 2020. Competing under the IPC flag, the RPT will have the honor of leading the parade during the opening ceremony on August 28.

Filippo Grandi, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, emphasized the resilience and potential of refugee athletes, stating that they demonstrate remarkable achievements when provided with opportunities to develop and showcase their abilities, not only in sports but across various aspects of life.

The selected athletes include a diverse group across multiple disciplines: Guillaume Junior Atangana with guide Donard Ndim Nyamjua in athletics, Salman Abbariki in athletics, Zakia Khudadadi and Hadi Hassanzada in taekwondo, Ibrahim Al Hussein in triathlon, Hadi Darvish in powerlifting, Sayed Amir Hossein Pour in table tennis, and Amelio Castro Grueso in fencing.

Each athlete’s journey reflects perseverance and determination, overcoming challenges to compete on the global stage. The Refugee Paralympic Team (RPT) exemplifies the spirit of inclusion and resilience, showcasing the power of sports to unite and inspire. Their participation not only highlights their personal achievements but also raises awareness about the plight and potential of refugees worldwide.