Meet the Olympics team you did NOT know about: Refugees find a home in Paris as athletes get a '1 in 100 million' shot at glory at the Games

The Refugee Olympic Team returns to Paris this summer, with 36 athletes getting a '1 in 100 million' shot at Games glory in France.

The team, which is made up of athletes who have faced incredible hardship to reach the start line, will be competing alongside some of the world's top talents for the third time, having made their Games debut in Rio de Janeiro eight years ago.

The inaugural team represented 60 million displaced people around the world. According to the UN, that figure has since skyrocketed to over 100 million, inspiring the team's slogan '1 in 100 million'. 

The likes of Cindy Ngamba (boxing), Dorsa Yavarivafa (badminton) and Ramiro Mora (weightlifting) will represent the team, which is competing in events such as breaking, swimming and canoe sprint. 

'Qualifying for the Olympic Games – that means everything to me,' Ngamba said.

Ngamba was born in Cameroon and moved to Bolton in the United Kingdom at the age of 12. Her uncle lost her immigration paperwork when he moved back to Cameroon and in 2019 Ngamba and her brother were detained whilst attending an immigration office.

The siblings were released the following day and Ngamba came out at the age of 18. As a result, she has no desire to move to back to Cameroon, where it is illegal to be homosexual. 

'Each member of the Refugee Olympic Team has different backgrounds and life experiences, but sport unites us,' she said. 'We're a family and we're going to go out there, support each other, and show the world what we are can do.' 

Weightlifter Mora was formerly part of the Cuban team and once visited Britain as part of a circus group in which he performed as an aerialist.

In 2021, Mora claimed asylum in the UK after taking part in a political protest in Cuba. 

He said: 'I will be so proud stepping out wearing the Refugee Olympic Team emblem. 

'To represent myself, my journey, but also the thousands of people who find themselves in similar circumstances as I did. 

'I hope seeing us walk out at Paris 2024 will bring hope and inspiration to people everywhere'. 

Other athletes, such as swimmer Alaa Maso and judo athlete Adnan Khankan, were forced to flee war-torn Syria to continue their Olympics dream, while taekwondo star Dina Pouryounes found a home in the Netherlands after fleeing Iran in 2015.

The team was founded by the IOC to ensure that all athletes, no matter their circumstances, have the chance to go to the Olympics. 

'We welcome all of you with open arms,' said IOC President Thomas Bach to the 2024 team. 'You are an enrichment to our Olympic Community, and to our societies. 

'With your participation in the Olympic Games, you will demonstrate the human potential of resilience and excellence. This will send a message of hope to the more than 100 million displaced people around the world.

'At the same time, you will make billions of people around the world aware of the magnitude of the refugee crisis. 

'Therefore, I encourage everyone, around the world, to join us in cheering for you – the IOC Refugee Olympic Team.'