IOC Refugee Olympic Team Paris 2024 Honored with Inaugural Human Rights First Spotlight Award
The Refugee Olympic Team Paris 2024 was awarded the inaugural Spotlight Award by Human Rights First on October 15, 2024. Yiech Pur Biel, an athlete of the team, highlighted the dual purpose of the team: to aid refugee athletes in pursuing their careers and to raise awareness about the plight of displaced individuals. The Olympic Refuge Foundation plays a crucial role in supporting young displaced people through sports, emphasizing the importance of their mission beyond the Olympic Games.
On October 15, 2024, the inaugural Spotlight Award from Human Rights First was conferred to the Refugee Olympic Team Paris 2024 during a ceremony held in New York City. This prestigious award honors organizations and individuals who exhibit unwavering dedication to human rights and advocacy while amplifying the voices of marginalized groups. As the Olympic Games in Paris 2024 approach, the IOC Refugee Olympic Team, composed of 37 athletes supported by 15 National Olympic Committees and competing in 12 sports, exemplifies the notion that refugees significantly enrich society. Yiech Pur Biel, an Olympic athlete and member of the Olympic Refuge Foundation (ORF) Board, accepted the award on behalf of the team. He articulated the dual purpose of the team, emphasizing both the support for refugee athletes to pursue their athletic ambitions and raising awareness about the plight of the approximate 120 million individuals worldwide who have been compelled to flee their homes. “The purpose of this team, then and now, is twofold. To support refugee athletes to continue their athletic career and compete on the world stage. And secondly, to bring attention to and change views towards the 120 million people across the globe who, like me, have been forced to flee their homes,” Biel stated. Reflecting on the united spirit of the athletes, Biel noted, “Every single one of these athletes has a different story – they speak different languages, have different cultures and come from different countries. But they come together under one flag, the Olympic flag. They are joined together through solidarity and their love of sport.” He also highlighted the ongoing work of the ORF, which extends beyond the Olympic realm to assist young individuals affected by displacement through sports. “When the lights go off, the stadiums are packed up and the crowds go home, the Olympic Refuge Foundation continues to support nearly half-a-million young displaced people across the globe through sport 365 days a year to improve their mental health and wellbeing, and to find belonging again in their new communities,” Biel remarked. Established by the International Olympic Committee, the ORF seeks to ensure that refugees and those impacted by displacement can engage with sports as a fundamental human right. In his closing remarks at the award ceremony, Biel reiterated the transformative role of the Refugee Olympic Team as a beacon of hope for young displaced individuals, urging continued advocacy and support for refugee athletes while emphasizing the critical need for inclusivity through sports.
The IOC Refugee Olympic Team, inaugurated at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, was created to provide a platform for refugees to compete on the world stage, thereby promoting inclusiveness and the recognition of refugees as integral members of society. The establishment of the Olympic Refuge Foundation reflects the International Olympic Committee’s commitment to leveraging the power of sports to bring attention to the struggles of refugees and displaced individuals. The Human Rights First Spotlight Award serves to further underline the significance of advocating for human rights and raising awareness about marginalized communities, particularly refugees.
In summary, the IOC Refugee Olympic Team Paris 2024 has received the Human Rights First Spotlight Award, underscoring its role in advocating for refugees and fostering a sense of belonging through sport. Through the dedication of athletes like Yiech Pur Biel and the support of the Olympic Refuge Foundation, the team continues to symbolize hope and resilience for the millions of displaced individuals worldwide. The call to action from Biel emphasizes the necessity of ongoing support for refugee athletes and the transformative potential of sports in uniting diverse communities.
Original Source: www.thenewsmarket.com
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