The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees commended the historic debut of the first-ever Refugee Olympic Team set to compete at the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Senegal from October 31 to November 13 across Dakar, Diamniadio, and Saly.
Comprising six refugee athletes currently residing in Kenya and Uganda, the squad will contend in athletics, judo, and taekwondo during the inaugural African-hosted Youth Olympic Games, which are anticipated to draw approximately 2,700 competitors. Supported by a coalition including the Olympic Refuge Foundation, the International Olympic Committee, World Athletics, and the National Olympic Committees of Kenya and Uganda, the athletes are currently completing an intensive pre-competition training camp in Eldoret, Kenya.
Former South Sudanese refugee Olympian and UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Yiech Pur Biel serves as the team’s Chef de Mission, drawing on his experience from the Rio 2016 Games to guide the new cohort alongside mentor and marathon legend Eliud Kipchoge. Highlighting the broader social significance of their participation, UNHCR Regional Director for West and Central Africa Abdouraouf Gnon-Konde emphasized that the six young athletes stand as symbols of resilience and hope for displaced populations globally. The milestone comes at a critical juncture, as recent UN statistics reveal that over 117 million people remain forcibly displaced worldwide—including 39 million across sub-Saharan Africa, where children account for half of the displaced population.
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