"A judo tournament is never easy, but an Olympic tournament is another dimension. So when, in the first round, you face a world-class athlete like Walid Khyar who is competing 'at home,’ in front of his home crowd, it's even more complicated," explains Vahid Sarlak, the coach of the refugee team.
It must be said that if the French judoka was heavily and logically supported, Mohammad Rashnonezhad was also warmly encouraged by the whole public.
So obviously, Mohammad was disappointed at the end of a match that he lost on penalties, without being unworthy of it. "Mohammad is a competitor, it's normal that he wants to win but he can be proud of what he has done and especially of everything he represents.
Being here in Paris for the Olympic Games and representing the millions of refugees around the world to tell them, ‘look, it's possible,’ is already a magnificent victory.
Today I am proud of my athletes, I am proud of what they do, I am proud of what they represent and how united they are. Mohammad Rashnonezhad fought with all his heart and that is really the most important thing."
If Mohammad was the first of the refugee athletes to compete, he will be followed in the coming days by his five other teammates and at the end of the competition will participate in the mixed team tournament. This is more than enough to carry the colours of the refugee community very high.