At Paris Olympics opening, UNHCR’s Grandi hails refugee athletes as a beacon of hope and peace

PARIS – At the opening of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, urged the world to follow the example of the refugee teams that are competing, as they promote peaceful co-existence and mutual respect.

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is partnering with the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the International Paralympic Committee and the Olympic Refuge Foundation to support refugees at the Games in Paris.

Grandi, a Vice-Chair of the Olympic Refuge Foundation, will attend today’s opening ceremony in Paris and participated in the torch relay this morning, representing UNHCR as well as the world’s 120 million forcibly displaced people.

“Sport is a symbol of hope and of peace, which are sadly in short supply in our world today,” Grandi said. “The refugee team is a beacon for people everywhere. These athletes show what can be achieved when talent is recognized and developed, and when people have opportunities to train and compete alongside the best. They are nothing short of an inspiration.”

This week, Grandi became the third recipient of the Olympic Laurel, an IOC award to honor outstanding achievements in education, culture, development and peace through sport. He will accept the award on behalf of UNHCR at the Opening Ceremony today.

Grandi noted that conflicts and emergencies can be found in every corner of the world, forcibly displacing millions of people from their homes in countries from Sudan to Ukraine, the State of Palestine, Myanmar and beyond. Grandi joined UN Secretary General António Guterres in calling for full global respect of the Olympic Truce, a custom of halting all hostilities from before to after the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The UN General Assembly adopted the truce for Paris in November.

“Sport is also vital for millions of refugees, of all ages and abilities,” Grandi added. “It brings people together, benefits mental and physical health, gives children positive role models, and teaches valuable life lessons. Our partnership with the IOC is cherished and valuable, and I look forward to seeing it grow.”

At the Paris 2024 Games, 37 brave refugee athletes will participate, the largest team to compete since the inception of IOC refugee teams at the Rio Games in 2016.

Originally reposted from UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency.