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Tokyo 2020: The Refugee Olympic and Paralympic Teams

Tokyo 2020: The Refugee Olympic and Paralympic Teams

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.
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency - South Sudanese refugee, Rose Nathike Lokonyen, runs the 800-metres for the Refugee Olympic Team in the Maracanã stadium in Rio, Brazil (2016).

Meet the athletes 

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.

For media contacts, requests, photos and images, visit our Tokyo 2020 media page