UNHCR / REFUGEE OLYMPIC TEAM

Refugees living in France gathered to watch the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympic Games and shared messages of encouragement for the Refugee Olympic Team. UNHCR

• Video Length: 00:03:05
• Production Date: 27 July 2024
• Asset Language: English
• Corporate Name: UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGUEES - UNHCR
• Subject Topical: SPORTS; OLYMPIC GAMES; REFUGEES
• Geographic Subject: FRANCE
• MAMS Id: 3241302
• Parent Id: 3241302
• Alternate Title: unifeed240727a

Description

STORY: UNHCR / REFUGEE OLYMPIC TEAM
TRT: 03:05
SOURCE: UNHCR
RESTRICTIONS: PLEASE CREDIT UNHCR ON SCREEN
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / NATS

DATELINE: 26 JULY 24, PARIS, FRANCE

Shotlist

1. Various shots, fans watching opening ceremony
2. Various shots, map showing refugees from different parts of the world
3. Various shots, fans watching opening ceremony
4. SOUNDBITE (English) Hanieh, former refugee living in France:
“Just thinking about all these people that have no country, you know, no one to represent them, really. I'm thinking about all the people in front of the TV tonight, watching the show, and yeah, feeling they are being represented, and that they have a voice, they are heard, and they matter.”
5.Med shot, fans watching opening ceremony
6. SOUNDBITE (English) Ali, refugee living in France:
“Keep going. Keep going. It's wonderful what you're doing. What you have achieved so far is absolutely amazing and please, just share your message. Talk about your experiences. Tell people where you started and where you got now, and I think that's just amazing. Go and win all the medals.”
7. Med shot, fans watching opening ceremony
8. SOUNDBITE (English) Rami, refugee living in France:
“I wish to everyone a ‘bon courage’ and don't give up, make us proud.”
Med shot, fans watching opening ceremony
9. SOUNDBITE (English) Rajaa, refugee living in France:
“Keep going and all the people support you and you are not alone. If you win or you lose, I think you are going to win and you are already winners because you participate in this event. This big event is very important for all the people and for us as refugees also. It is a very important message to give to everyone, to encourage them, and keep going.”
10. Med shot, fans watching opening ceremony

Storyline

Refugees living in France gathered to watch the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympic Games and shared messages of encouragement for the Refugee Olympic Team.

Journeying down the Seine through the historic heart of a rainy Paris, cheered on by spectators lining both banks of the river, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Refugee Olympic Team made its entrance at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games opening ceremony on Friday (26 Jul) night in a floating parade.

The 37-strong team will compete across 12 sports, each having beaten extraordinary odds to take their place at the world’s largest and most prestigious sporting event.

Over the next two weeks, they will represent the hopes and dreams of some 120 million forcibly displaced people worldwide.

Previously, refugees and asylum-seekers were largely excluded from competition at national, regional and international levels.

But since the first Refugee Olympic Team, comprising 10 athletes, competed at the Rio 2016 Games, capturing the imagination of sports fans around the world, more
and more sports federations and associations have found ways to include refugee athletes and teams in major sporting events.

At the Maison de Réfugiés in Paris on Friday night, refugees living in France came together to watch the opening ceremony and catch their first glimpse of the Refugee Olympic Team.