Cindy Ngamba is a boxer who could potentially make Olympic history by becoming the first ever medallist for the International Olympic Committee Refugee Team in Paris later this year. Having sought refuge in the United Kingdom 15 years ago after leaving her birth country, Cameroon, Ngamba has been training for the Olympics. Despite unsuccessful attempts by Team GB to secure her a British passport, Ngamba qualified for the boxing tournament by winning a tournament in Milan in April, making her the first athlete in the team’s history to have qualified for the Games purely through their ability.
For IOC president Thomas Bach, a medal for Ngamba would hold special significance as the Refugee Team was created during his tenure. The team’s 36 athletes from 11 different countries of origin will compete in 12 sports including swimming and athletics. Bach expressed his excitement and support for the team, emphasizing the message of hope and resilience their participation in the Olympic Games will send to the more than 100 million displaced people around the world.
Despite facing challenges in her adopted country, including being arrested at the age of 20, Ngamba is now celebrating her selection for the world’s greatest sporting event. She expressed gratitude for the opportunity to represent refugees on a global platform and acknowledged the hard work and dedication of all the selected athletes. Ngamba highlighted the unity and camaraderie among the team members, stating that they are all like family and are committed to supporting each other in their Olympic journey.
As the first ever refugee boxer, Ngamba’s qualification for the Olympics holds great importance to her and serves as a representation of resilience and excellence. She emphasized the discipline and consistency in her training leading up to the qualifier and expressed confidence in the abilities of all the refugee athletes selected for the Games. With the support of fans and fellow athletes, Ngamba is poised to make a significant impact at the upcoming Olympics and potentially create history for the Refugee Team.
The Refugee Team, which first competed in the 2016 Games in Rio, has grown in size and diversity, with athletes hailing from various parts of the world. Bach praised the team members for their determination and spirit, welcoming them with open arms to the Olympic Community. The participation of the Refugee Team in the Games is seen as a demonstration of human potential and a source of inspiration for displaced individuals globally. Through their performances and achievements, the athletes aim to spread a message of hope and solidarity to those in similar circumstances around the world.
