Some 82.4 million people in the world are currently reported to be displaced, according to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
Further to the success of the Refugee Olympic Team, in September 2017 the IOC launched the Olympic Refuge Foundation as the next chapter in its long-term commitment to supporting the protection, development and thriving of displaced young people through sport, 365 days a year across the globe.
The Foundation believes in a society where everyone belongs, through sport. Its goal is to shape a movement which ensures that young people affected by displacement thrive through sport.
Working in cooperation with the Olympic Movement, the United Nations, international organisations, the private sector, non-governmental organisations and other foundations, the Foundation has supported 12 programmes in eight countries: Colombia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Jordan, Kenya, Mexico, Rwanda, Turkey and Uganda, and new programmes will be launched shortly in Colombia and France.
The Foundation aims to provide access to safe sport for one million young people affected by displacement by 2024. Currently, 200,000 young people already benefit from sports programmes designed to improve their well-being and social inclusion.
The members of the Foundation Board share the dream of building a society where everyone belongs, through sport.
The Foundation Board members are:
Chair
Dr Thomas Bach, IOC President
Members
Mr Filippo Grandi, High Commissioner of UNHCR;
HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani, President of the National Olympic Committee of Qatar;
Dr Chungwon Choue, President of World Taekwondo and Chairman of the Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation;
Mr Yiech Pur Biel, a member of the first Refugee Olympic Team at the Olympic Games Rio 2016;
Anne Hidalgo, Paris Mayor and Chair of the C40 Cities Leadership Group;
Felicite Rwemarika, IOC Member;
Josefina Salas, Youth Olympic Games Young Change-Maker;
Mr Paul Tergat, IOC Member.
The members of the Executive Committee are:
Chair
Mr Christophe De Kepper
Secretary
Mr Pere Miró
Treasurer
Mrs Lana Haddad
Member
Mr James Macleod
More information
Foundation website
Brochure
Sport for Protection
Sport for Protection Toolkit: Programming with Young People in Forced Displacement Settings
Do you believe sport can play a crucial role in the protection and well-being of refugees and displaced young people? Download this toolkit developed by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Terre des hommes (Tdh). You will discover how sport can empower young people and learn how to implement effective Sport for Protection programmes.