Six young refugee athletes are relishing the chance to make history at this year’s Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal, where they will become the first Refugee Olympic Team to compete at the youth showpiece.
Rashid Rechene, Florence Masimbi, Clement Niyomuhoza, Nyataba Kuek, Lourance Namukiza and Arno Yfunga, believe the opportunity is about more than just taking part.
They want to test their talent, compete for medals and show that being a refugee does not limit their dreams.
The three girls and three boys, selected from Kenya and Uganda, will compete in athletics, judo and taekwondo. They have been training at Complete Sports in Kaptagat, Uasin Gishu county.
Rashid, a Congolese 200m sprinter living in Uganda, believes the opportunity can change the lives of young refugees by giving them a platform to showcase their talent.
“Since I’m training with the senior athletes, with refugee team, I’ve improved so much. I like seeing them running, and that pushes me also to work hard, to achieve like them.”
The 200m sprinter has also seen improvements in his speed and physical strength. He says the training environment in Kenya has given him more time to work on his running.
His ambitions, however, stretch beyond the Youth Olympics.
“My dream, it is so big. It’s not just for Dakar. I look forward to big, big stages. And Dakar, I want to run my best time and achieve a medal,” he said.
Masimbi, a 16-year-old Ugandan 200m runner, is equally determined. She has enjoyed training alongside Kenyan athletes and credits the coaches for helping her prepare for the challenge.
“There is a winning spirit going to Dakar. When I go, I would also like to run 27 seconds.”
She also wants her participation to encourage other young refugees in Uganda to believe in their abilities.
Kuek, a 17-year-old 800m athlete from Kakuma refugee camp, has set his sights on the top prize. He draws inspiration from former world 800m champion Janeth Jepkosgei and wants to follow in her footsteps.
“I’m going to work hard. I need to take gold there. I need to bring it here in Kenya.”
For Namukiza, the opportunity carries a wider purpose. The 16-year-old taekwondo under-49kg athlete from Kakuma wants to use sport to become a champion and an ambassador for girls and women in the refugee community.
“I’m seeing myself becoming a champion and ambassador,’ she said.
She hopes to use her platform to challenge early marriage, promote gender equality and change negative attitudes towards women. Taekwondo, she says, has taught her discipline, responsibility, respect and the importance of never giving up.
Yfunga, a 16-year-old judoka competing in the 55kg category, is already looking beyond the youth event. The son of former judo champion Arnold Yafunga, he was introduced to the sport by his father and now dreams of following in his footsteps.
“My focus is on the Youth Olympics; I must perform my best so that I can be selected for LA 2028.”
The team is led by Yiech Pur Biel, a member of the first Refugee Olympic Team at Rio 2016 and its Chef de Mission in Dakar. He sees the six athletes as symbols of hope for millions of displaced young people.
“This team is a representation of hope for the millions of refugees in Africa and globally.”
The athletes have also drawn inspiration from World Athletics Refugee Athletes mentor Eliud Kipchoge, who has urged them to work hard, remain disciplined and respect their coaches.
For the six youngsters, the immediate goal is to compete with confidence. But their ambitions go well beyond one competition.
