Refugee Athlete Makes History by Winning Olympic Medal for the First Time

The largest Olympic Refugee Team since its inception for the 2016 Rio Games features 37 athletes aiming to showcase global refugee talent.

PARIS, France — Cindy Ngamba, a boxer originally from Cameroon, made headlines by becoming the first refugee athlete to win an Olympic medal. Her triumph symbolizes the efforts of the Refugee Olympic Team to highlight refugee struggles worldwide.

Ngamba’s win at the Paris Games followed a grueling match against French boxer Davina Michel in the women’s 75-kilogram quarterfinals, held in an electrifying atmosphere.

With this victory, Ngamba secured at least a bronze medal and dreams of further glory as she proceeds to the semifinals. Her next bout is against Atheyna Bylon, who recently earned Panama its fourth-ever Olympic medal.

“Being the first refugee to win a medal means everything to me,” Ngamba expressed. “My message to all refugees: keep working hard, believe in yourself.”

The International Olympic Committee created the Refugee Olympic Team to enable displaced athletes and migrants to participate in the Games without national federation support. Ngamba served as a flag bearer for the team, consisting of 37 athletes.

Ngamba relocated to the United Kingdom at age 11. She was granted refugee status in 2021 due to the risks she faced in Cameroon for being gay. Boxing provided an escape and launched her onto the global stage.

She found assimilation initially challenging but later found solace in boxing and the Olympic team. “My family and team stood by me. The refugee team embraced me warmly,” she said.

In her first bout, Ngamba defeated former world champion Tammara Thibeault of Canada. During her match against Michel, she remained unfazed by the French crowd’s enthusiastic support for their local boxer.

“The boos were just noise,” Ngamba remarked, noting that her journey was filled with people who doubted her.

Many refugee team athletes have previously won Olympic medals for their homeland. However, Ngamba has emerged as the team’s prominent medal contender in Paris.

Ngamba’s achievements come during a period of record global migration, with 100 million people forcibly displaced. The Refugee Olympic Team has grown significantly since its inception.

Filippo Grandi, U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, lauded the team as a beacon of inclusion, equality, and achievement. He congratulated Ngamba on X, stating, “You make us proud! Now onward to gold.”

The Refugee Olympic Team was among the delegations that participated in the Seine River cruise during the opening ceremony.

Ngamba’s success coincides with heightened scrutiny of women’s boxing, as fighters Lin Yu-ting of Taiwan and Imane Khelif of Algeria face online abuse. The IOC defended both athletes, urging against turning the competition into a “witch hunt.”

Looking toward her next match, Ngamba remains determined to inspire refugees. “I’m going for gold,” she asserted with confidence.