IPC to support Refugee Paralympic Team at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) announced at the Global Refugee Forum 2023 in Geneva, Switzerland, on Wednesday, 13 December 2023, plans to support a Refugee Paralympic Team (RPT) at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.  

With the support of several stakeholders and partners, including UNHCR, the French Ministry of Sport, and Airbnb, the IPC will provide a pathway for Para athletes with refugee status to compete at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.  

Underlining its support of the 114 million people who are forcibly displaced worldwide, the IPC also signed the Joint Pledge on Sport for Inclusion and Protection at the Global Refugee Forum, a contribution by the sports ecosystem to improve the lives of displaced people, with the following commitment. 

“The International Paralympic Committee will: work with our members and other stakeholders to promote and facilitate access to inclusive sport opportunities for refugees and displaced persons with disabilities; lead and support the pathway for refugee Para athletes to compete at the Paralympic Games; use its global channels to provide a platform for Para athletes who are refugees to share their stories with the world.”  

Supporting the team

To ensure the best possible preparations for the RPT ahead of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, the French Ministry of Sport and the Olympic and Paralympic Games has offered to host RPT athletes for pre-Games training camp at one of France’s centres of sport.

The Ministry will provide support, including accommodation and access to world-class sports facilities. The camp will provide a valuable opportunity for focused preparation in advance of the Paralympic Games, which open on 28 August 2024, as the athletes unite as a team from around the world for the first time. 

Worldwide Paralympic Partner, Airbnb, is the first Official Partner to confirm their backing for the RPT at Paris 2024, having previously supported the RPT at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.

Airbnb will support the team with training and other expenses on the road to the Games. Airbnb and Airbnb.org, an independent nonprofit dedicated to connecting people in times of crisis to temporary housing, have been longtime allies to people displaced by humanitarian crises and natural disasters. Since 2012, Airbnb and Airbnb.org have offered free, emergency stays for nearly 300,000 people, including more than 200,000 refugees, with the support of Airbnb Hosts.

Representing resilience, strength and hope

Kristina Molloy, IPC Chief Membership and Impact Officer, said: “Sport is a powerful driver for positive social change for persons with disabilities across the globe, and the Paralympic Games are the pinnacle event that showcases the very best of Para sport. The Refugee Paralympic Team is such an important representation of resilience, strength and hope within our Movement, and we are thrilled to support the athletes’ participation in a meaningful way with the necessary supports.” 

Dominique Hyde, Director of UNHCRs Division of External Relations, added: “Refugees with disabilities will once again be able to compete at the highest level with their peers. We welcome the decision to support a Refugee Paralympic Team to compete in Paris and thank the IPC for their continued support for people who have been forced to flee, particularly this week during the 2023 Global Refugee Forum.” 

Amélie Oudéa-Castéra, French Minister of Sport and the Olympic and Paralympic Games, commented: “I am extremely pleased with this very strong partnership between the IPC and the Ministry of Sport and Olympic and Paralympic Games. It gives concrete expression to the values of universalism and inclusion promoted by the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. It will be an honour for France to offer the best training conditions to the Refugee Paralympic Team, a symbol of empowerment and resilience through sport.”

Jay Carney, Airbnb Global Head of Policy and Communications, said: “Refugee athletes demonstrate incredible resilience and perseverance. We are proud to support the Refugee Paralympic Team for Paris 2024 and help these athletes pursue their dreams.”

Third Refugee Paralympic Team

Paris 2024 will be the third time the IPC has been responsible for the RPT. At the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games there were two athletes in the team, which increased to six for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. The six athletes competed in Para athletics, Para swimming, Para canoe and Para taekwondo at Tokyo 2020. 

A team of up to 10 athletes for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games will be named in early 2024 based on performance and meeting the eligibility and selection criteria. No athletes have been selected so far.

The IPC is offering a range of in and out of competition support to the selected RPT athletes to support their focus on readiness for the Games. This will include facilitating their participation in competition opportunities in advance of the Games, covering entry, travel, and accommodation, as well as empowering athletes and coaches in their general preparations.

To be considered for the RPT, athletes must have confirmed refugee status in accordance with the relevant legal frameworks. Athletes with the potential to compete in the Games will be identified by IPC working closely with International Federations, IPC World Para Sports, and National Paralympic Committees.