Making History in Dakar 2026: Six Young Refugees, One Olympic Dream

Olympic refugee athletes target glory -- and a better life for families

After a tough childhood spent in the Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya, the teenager said her path to Dakar was simple: "I trained hard, I competed hard and I was able to win." She has set herself two goals. Firstly, "I want to get a medal," she said. But also she wants to offer her family a better life as she limbers up to join a team comprising fellow young refugees for the first time at a Youth Games. Lourence and her teammates, originally from So…

Making history in Dakar 2026: Six young refugees, one Olympic dream

The medals are already being won at Dakar 2026. But beyond the scores and the celebrations, some athletes have overcome far greater challenges. Members of the first Refugee Youth Olympic Team, now living in Uganda and Kenya’s Kakuma Refugee Camp after fleeing conflict, are proving that the Games are about much more than sport.

Refugee team competes at Senegal’s first Youth Olympics

Refugee athletes from camps in Kenya and Uganda are competing at the Youth Olympics in Senegal, marking the first time a refugee team has taken part in the event.

Youth Olympic Games: Olympic refugee athletes target glory -- and a better life for families