Mark, Community Projects Coordinator at JRS UK, shares a few words on the significance of the Refugee Olympic Team and the inspiring journey of its athletes.
With so much division and conflict in the world right now, moments where people across the globe come together and celebrate are never lost on me. That’s exactly why I get so excited when the Olympics come around!
I’m grateful that there has been a Refugee Olympic team since 2016 to make sure athletes who have been forcibly displaced are able to compete and demonstrate the resilience and determination of so many refugees.
This year all eyes are on Cindy Ngamba, who is competing in the women’s middleweight boxing and could be the first ever medallist for the Refugee Olympic team!
Cindy is Cameroonian and arrived in the UK when she was a child. She now trains in Sheffield, and sadly cannot compete for GB as she is does not have a British passport. She has experienced the hardships of the UK’s hostile immigration system, having been held in immigration detention and having her initial claim for asylum refused. She was finally granted refugee status in 2019.
Today, she has studied at university and is now competing at the Olympics and was the flag-bearer for the Refugee team! She represents the struggle and strength of so many of our refugee friends who continue to show their humanity, resilience and joy against the many injustices they have experienced.
At the Centre – the games are on, flags are hung, and we’re asking friends to write about their favourite Olympic teams and favourite sports to watch – Judo, swimming, basketball, and gymnastics are the favourites so far!
Cindy will be in the boxing quarter final on Sunday and you can bet we’ll all be cheering her on!
