Refugee athlete team announced for Tokyo 2025

A six-member refugee athlete team aims to inspire through sport at the upcoming championships.

Refugee athletes prepare to make their mark at World Athletics Championships

Olympians Farida Abaroge, Perina Lokure Nakang, and Musa Suliman lead the six-member Athlete Refugee Team competing at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo in 2025. This initiative, supported by the Refugee Athlete Scholarship programme, represents millions of displaced individuals globally. The trio includes Abaroge, who fled in 2016 and will race in the 5000m, Nakang, who has overcome personal and health challenges for the 800m, and Suliman, a 21-year-old debutant. They are joined by marathoners Omar Hassan and Emmanuel Kiruhura Ntagunga, alongside 5000m runner Jamal Abdelmaji Eisa Mohammed, returning after an absence from the global stage. This event will occur in Tokyo from September 13-21, 2025.

The presence of the Athlete Refugee Team at the World Championships is a powerful reminder of the resilience of displaced individuals. It illustrates how sports can provide a sense of belonging and purpose. While the athletes face unique challenges, their participation showcases a commitment to excellence and representation. The Refugee Athlete Scholarship programme plays a crucial role in supporting these athletes, highlighting the importance of collaboration between organizations to foster pathways for marginalized communities. Such initiatives not only bring attention to the plight of refugees but also celebrate their tenacity and dedication to sport.

Highlights

The achievements of these athletes may inspire future generations of refugees to pursue their dreams.