The Refugee Paralympic Team is poised to make a powerful statement at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris, beginning next week. This inspiring group of eight Paralympians and one guide runner, who have fled conflict and persecution in their homelands, are determined to leave their mark on the world stage.
Competing in six sports – para-athletics, para-powerlifting, para-table tennis, para-taekwondo, para-triathlon, and wheelchair fencing – these athletes are not just aiming for medals but also for a message of hope. For Ibrahim Al Hussein, a Syrian para-triathlete, the journey has been especially arduous. He lost his right foot and parts of his left foot in the 2012 civil war, forcing him to flee his country and seek refuge in Greece. “I left Syria in a wheelchair and I want to send a message of perseverance and hope to everyone who feels miserable or bad about themselves,” Al Hussein shared with The Associated Press from the team’s training camp in Reims.
Al Hussein’s determination is echoed by his fellow team members. Each of them has faced immense obstacles, having lived for years in cramped refugee camps with limited access to training facilities. Yet, they have persevered, proving that anything is possible. Hadi Darvish, a para-powerlifter from Iran, initially encountered challenges in Germany due to his refugee status, lacking access to a gym due to not having a bank account. Undeterred, he relentlessly searched for a training space, eventually finding one and ultimately winning first place in the German National Championships among able-bodied competitors in 2022.
Guillaume Junior Atangana, a runner who lost his sight, embodies the spirit of resilience. Instead of giving up his athletic dreams, he discovered that running with a guide could open new horizons. “I’ve been able to put in some great performances that some able-bodied people can’t manage. I’m very happy about that,” he told AP. After securing fourth place in the 400 meters at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games, Atangana is aiming for a medal in Paris.
The team also includes Zakia Khudadadi, the sole female athlete. In Tokyo, she made history as the first Afghan female athlete to compete in an international sporting event after the Taliban regained control of her country. Khudadadi, born without a forearm, began practicing taekwondo at the age of 11, overcoming countless hurdles throughout her life. “Life for all girls and women in Afghanistan is forbidden. It’s over,” Khudadadi told AP earlier this month. “I’m here to win a medal in Paris for them. I want to show strength to all women and girls in Afghanistan.”
As the Refugee Paralympic Team prepares to march at the Opening Ceremony in Paris on August 28, they stand as a symbol of hope, resilience, and the triumph of the human spirit. Their journey to the Paralympic Games is a testament to their indomitable spirit and a powerful message that dreams can be realized even in the face of adversity.
