Tokyo 2020: The Refugee Olympic and Paralympic Teams
© UNHCR
The Refugee Olympic and Paralympic Teams travelling to Tokyo will bring hope and inspiration to millions worldwide and will shine a light on the power of sport to help displaced people rebuild their lives.
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, works in partnership with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and International Paralympic Committee (IPC), to support the refugees who – despite the challenges of displacement and the COVID-19 pandemic – have continued to train to keep their dreams of competing in Tokyo alive.
Meet the athletes
On 8 June 2021, the Refugee Olympic Team was announced and you can learn more about them here.
The Refugee Paralympic Team for Tokyo 2020 will be revealed in the coming weeks.
As the world’s leading agency protecting people who’ve been forced to flee their homes, UNHCR knows that sport is more than just a leisure activity; it has the power to bring hope, heal and help refugees reclaim their futures.
With over 80 million people now displaced worldwide, UNHCR is working together with governments, the sporting world, civil society and refugees everywhere to build a better world in which every person forced to flee – including those with disabilities – can access and participate in sport, at all levels.
On this page, we will publish news, stories and activities regarding the refugee athletes who are competing at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympics Games.
In the lead-up to the games, join us on Social Media to stay up to date on the latest news and developments:
Twitter: @refugees
Facebook: @UNHCR
Instagram: Refugees
TikTok: @refugees
For media contacts, requests, photos and images, visit our Tokyo 2020 media page.