The International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced on Thursday that the Refugee Olympic Team has arrived in France ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, as the team's coaches, athletes, and staff gathered in the town of Bayeux in Normandy.
A total of 37 athletes from 15 countries and regions are members of this year's Refugee Olympic Team. They will compete in 12 events at the Olympics, marking their first time coming together as a team.
In Bayeux, the refugee athletes will continue to prepare for the Olympics by using top-notch training facilities. To foster team cohesion and help them get to know each other better, they will also participate in a series of team activities.
"We are delighted to have finally arrived in France as a team to prepare for the Olympics. We are a highly diverse group with different cultures, languages, and stories. But here you can see that we are truly united as one team. Our goal is to bring this spirit and unity to Paris, and we will introduce this unique team to the world during the opening ceremony," said Masuma Ali Zada, the Refugee Olympic Team Chef de Mission.
The Refugee Olympic Team will soon head to Paris to move into the Olympic Village. This will be the third appearance of the Refugee Olympic Team at the Olympics, following 29 athletes in Tokyo and the inaugural team of 10 athletes at the Rio Olympics.