The Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games have marked a historic milestone with the debut of refugee athletes from Kenya's Kakuma Refugee Camp. Arno Botay Yafunga, a 15-year-old judoka, became the first athlete from the Refugee Olympic Team to compete at a Youth Olympic Games. He finished fifth in the men's under-55kg event, narrowly missing a medal. His father, Arnold Yafunga, who is also his coach, expressed pride and joy at his son's achievement.
Arno's journey to the Olympic stage began in Kakuma Refugee Camp, where he and his family fled conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2017. His father, a former black belt judoka, had to give up his Olympic ambitions to support his family but continued to train and eventually became Arno's coach. Arno hopes to compete at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, inspired by his experience at the Dakar Youth Olympics.
The Refugee Olympic Team, comprising six athletes, is competing in athletics, judo, and taekwondo at the Dakar Youth Olympics. Clement Niyomuhoza, the team's captain, aims to showcase the talents of refugee athletes and prove that they can excel in sports. Niyomuhoza began training in athletics in 2024 and secured a place on the team after initial setbacks.
Yiech Pur Biel, Chef de Mission of the Refugee Olympic Team and a former member of the first Refugee Olympic Team at the 2016 Rio Olympics, emphasizes the significance of the team's participation. He represents 117 million displaced people globally, including children who account for approximately 39 percent of the total.
The Refugee Olympic Teams have competed at the last three Olympic Games, with boxer Cindy Ngamba winning a bronze medal at Paris 2024. The Olympic Refugee Foundation has supported dozens of athletes, and Pur Biel hopes that the young athletes will encourage others in refugee communities to take up sports and education.
The Refugee Olympic Team's participation at the Dakar Youth Olympics is a testament to the power of sports to bring hope and opportunities to displaced people. Arno and his teammates are not only competing but also telling their own stories through their performances and experiences.
As the Dakar Youth Olympics come to a close, the Refugee Olympic Team's historic debut marks a new chapter in the Olympic movement. With continued support from the Olympic Refugee Foundation, these young athletes will have the chance to pursue their dreams and inspire others in refugee communities around the world.
Key points
- Refugee athletes from Kenya's Kakuma camp make historic debut at Dakar Youth Olympics
- Six-member Refugee Olympic Team competes in athletics, judo, and taekwondo
- Team's participation aims to raise awareness about the experiences of 117 million displaced people globally
