https://www.ijf.org/news/show/refugee-olympic-team-announcement-paris-2024
Since then, the team has trained, sharpened, organised and analysed towards the biggest days of their sporting lives. From awful situations in their home countries, these athletes have fought for their lives, for their space and for the opportunity to breathe freely and enjoy life as they reach for the highest goals they can.
Today they enjoyed a brief meeting with IOC President Thomas Bach, during the Olympic Torch Relay, now in Saint Denis in Paris. Team coach Vahid Sarlak said, “Today was an unforgettable day! The Refugee Team, along with Mr Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee, took a memorable photo in the Olympic Village."
"This moment symbolises solidarity and the power of being together. The Refugee Team is a symbol of hope and striving for a better future. Despite all the hardships and challenges, we become stronger together. It doesn’t matter where we come from, what matters is where we want to go. Together, we can make anything possible.
I must say that our team here is really talked about as a team. There is no place where talking about our team is not about our solidarity and our togetherness.”
The training continues, as does the making of very special Olympic memories. Mohammad Rashnonezhad will be the first of the team to compete, coming to the tatami in round one of the -66 kg category on day 2.