Refugee team makes Youth Olympics debut in Senegal
The delegation draws athletes from refugee camps in Kenya and Uganda, with entries in taekwondo, judo and track and field.
Senegal’s 2026 Youth Olympic Games are welcoming a refugee delegation for the first time, with competitors drawn from camps in Uganda and Kenya. Dakar, Diamniadio and Saly are hosting the competition.
The International Olympic Committee created the team, while the Olympic Refuge Foundation handles its management. Its competitors are taking part in taekwondo, judo and track and field.
Florence Masumbe, a sprinter, hopes to win medals while demonstrating what refugees can achieve. She spoke of her pride in representing her country and her belief in the abilities of fellow team members.
For judoka Arno Yafunga, training has helped him avoid gangs and harmful situations in Nairobi, he said. He described concentrating on practice and tackling challenges. His coach, Arnold Yafunga, encouraged young refugees to continue pursuing their ambitions despite displacement.
Refugee representation at the Olympics began in Rio de Janeiro in 2016. The competition in Senegal extends that participation to the Youth Olympics.
