#EOR is an acronym of the French name ‘Equipe Olympique des Refugies’. Members of the Refugee Olympic Team wore the inscription EOR while they were competing. 29 individual competitors were chosen by the International Olympic Committee to represent the 82 million refugees around the world at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Here, the UNHCR, their host, says “thank you” to all these competitors.
Competing on the global stage gives new hope and valuable experience to refugee Olympians and focuses attention on the situation and potential of the world’s forcibly displaced.
What a finish! “Everything is possible.” #RefugeeOlympicTeam athlete Tachlowini Gabriyesos has finished 16th in the men’s marathon final today. An incredible feat – in a time of 2:14.02! #Olympic Refugee#EOR
It’s the final day at #Tokyo2020 and what an experience it has been so far! For the Refugee Olympic Team, it’s the turn of Tachlowini Gabriyesos who will be competing in the Men’s Marathon. #cheerforrefugees
Japanese students in a city in devastated by the 2011 tsunami folded and sent 1,000 origami cranes — a traditional symbol of hope and encouragement — to Olympian Rose Nathike Lokonyen in one of the many outpourings of support for the Refugee Olympic Team during the Tokyo Games.
Host nations watch refugees participate in the Tokyo Olympics. Feeling stronger together, there are many proud moments as members of the Refugee Olympic Team achieve personal best results. Just as life is full of ups and downs, so also, the Refugee Olympians rise and fall in this and that sport, along with other competitors. What is important is that achievements are celebrated, humanity is one and competitors and athletes demonstrate the spirit of sportsmanship and go to aid and succour of participants when they fall. #StrongerTogether
Hamoon Derafshipour is an Iranian karateka. He qualified for the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan, where karate will be featured for the first time, as part of the Refugee Olympic Team.
Wael Shueb is a Syrian karateka. He lives in Germany where he arrived as a refugee after leaving war-torn Syria in 2015. Wael Shueb is one of two Refugee Olympic Team karatekas competing at the Tokyo Olympics.
The Refugee Olympic Team, established by the International Olympic Committee, is comprised of athletes from 11 different countries, living and training in 13 host countries. This year, with the Games taking place amid the Covid-19 pandemic, their stories and their inclusion in the Olympic movement feel more relevant than ever, according to Filippo Grandi, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
Three members of the Refugee Olympic Team have been granted permanent residency in Canada based on athletic ability. Three athletes competing for the Refugee Olympic Team at the Tokyo Games will soon be coming to Canada through a first-of-its kind athletic scholarship program