International Olympic Committee Refugee Team to represent over 100 million displaced people at Paris

GENEVA (WAM)

Thirty-six athletes from 11 different countries, hosted by 15 National Olympic Committees (NOCs) and competing across 12 sports were named on Thursday as members of the IOC Refugee Olympic Team for Paris 2024 Olympics.

The announcement was made by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) President, Thomas Bach, during a live-streamed ceremony from Olympic House in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Appearing at the Olympic Games for the third time, the IOC Refugee Olympic Team will represent more than 100 million displaced people around the world.

The composition of the team was approved by the IOC Executive Board (EB) and was based on a number of criteria including, first and foremost, each athlete’s sporting performance and their refugee status as verified by UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency. Beyond that, the team represents the more than 100 million displaced people around the world. Consideration has also been given to a balanced representation of sport and gender, as well as the spread of countries of origin.