Championing the Refugee Olympic Team as they get set to compete at the Olympic Games Paris 2024, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has today launched the “1 in 100 Million” campaign.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) launches a campaign to rally behind the Refugee Olympic Team as they gear up to compete at the Olympic Games in Paris, shedding light on their incredible journeys amidst a global refugee crisis.
In a bid to champion the 36 resilient athletes set to represent over 100 million displaced individuals on the grand stage of the Olympics, the IOC introduces the “1 in 100 Million" initiative. The campaign kicks off with a captivating graphic-novel-style short film showcasing the remarkable sporting prowess and personal narratives of athletes like Cindy Ngamba (boxing), Dorsa Yavarivafa (badminton), Ramiro Mora (weightlifting), and Refugee Athlete Scholarship-holder Kavan Majidi (judo).
The team’s inception at Rio 2016 coincided with close to 60 million displaced individuals worldwide. Fast forward to Paris 2024, and that number has climbed to well over 100 million and continues to rise, representing approximately 1 in 70 people globally. The film underscores these staggering statistics while portraying the profound impact of the escalating global refugee crisis.
Cindy Ngamba, a boxer from the Refugee Olympic Team, expressed the significance of qualifying for the Olympics, emphasizing unity and shared experiences within the team. She remarked, “Each member of the Refugee Olympic Team has different backgrounds and life experiences, but sport unites us – we’re a family."
Employing advanced AI technology, the campaign’s focal point, the film, engaged contributors closely linked to the refugee community, such as illustrator Engy Jarrouj and music artists Che Lingo and Manon Dave. The film serves as a cornerstone of a broader effort to establish a distinctive identity for the team, encapsulated by the emblem symbolic of unity and resilience among diverse athletes.
Ramiro Mora, a weightlifter from the Refugee Olympic Team, expressed his pride in donning the emblem, symbolizing not only his personal journey but also the collective narratives of countless individuals facing similar challenges. He emphasized the team’s role in instilling hope and inspiration worldwide.
Managed by the ORF, the Refugee Olympic Team embodies the principles of inclusion and inspiration, aiming to represent and empower individuals affected by displacement. Comprising 36 athletes hosted by 15 National Olympic Committees across 12 sports, the team reflects a blend of athletic excellence, refugee status, gender balance, and diverse origins.
As the campaign unfolds, “1 in 100 Million" seeks to galvanize global support for the Refugee Olympic Team, urging fans to track the athletes’ progress via @RefugeeOlympicTeam and demonstrate solidarity on social media using #ForThe100Million. Directed by William Bartlett at Framestore and produced in collaboration with Gravity Road, the poignant film stands as a testament to the resilience, strength, and unity embodied by the Refugee Olympic Team.