The IOC Refugee Olympic Team, consisting of 37 athletes from various countries competing in 12 different sports, has arrived at the Olympic village in Paris after a four-day preparation and bonding period in Bayeux, Normandy. The athletes expressed their readiness for the Paris 2024 Games after training and connecting with their teammates in Bayeux.
This year’s Refugee Olympic Team is the largest yet, reflecting the increasing number of refugees globally. The team will represent the estimated 117.3 million forcibly displaced individuals worldwide due to persecution, conflict, and human rights violations. The team has its own emblem with a heart surrounded by arrows, symbolizing the journey of lost refugees finding their way back.
The Refugee Olympic Team, known as EOR (Équipe Olympique des Réfugiés), was created by the International Olympic Committee in 2016. The team first appeared with a 10-member squad in Rio and had 29 athletes in Tokyo. The Paris 2024 Olympic Games are set to begin on July 26 with the Opening Ceremony, followed by the Paralympic Games from August 28 to September 8.
The athletes expressed gratitude for the warm welcome they received in France and are eager to showcase their skills and represent refugees worldwide at the upcoming Games. Their journey from Bayeux to Paris marks the next phase of their Olympic experience as they look forward to competing on the global stage.
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