Six Refugee Athletes Set for Historic Youth Olympic Debut in Dakar
By Isaac Kogey – Uasin Gishu County
Six refugee athletes will make a historic debut at this year’s Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal – the first time the Games will be held in Africa.
The Games will run from October 31 to November 13. The refugee team will compete in athletics, judo and taekwondo.
The squad – Rashid Rechene, Florence Masimbi, Clement Niyomuhoza, Nyataba Kuek, Lourance Namukiza and Arno Yfunga – has been training at Complete Sports in Kaptagat, Uasin Gishu County.
Double Olympic marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge, who serves as World Athletics Refugee Athletes mentor, said refugees deserve support to pursue their dreams.
NOCK First Deputy President Barnaba Korir said Kenya has given the athletes a chance through school games and Athletics Kenya events to showcase talent on the global stage.
Chef de Mission Yiech Pur Biel said hosting the Games in Africa is significant, as the continent hosts the largest number of refugees.
The team was selected from Kenya and Uganda with support from IOC, Olympic Refuge Foundation, NOCK Kenya and Uganda, World Athletics, Athletics Kenya, UNHCR and judo and taekwondo federations.
