History for Athletics refugee team in Belgrade
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Reading Time: 3min | Mon. 01.04.24. | 19:49
These athletes have a similar experience of their lives having been turned upside down and the traumatic journey of fleeing their countries because of conflict, war or political unrest
For the first time in the World Athletics Cross Country Championships, an all-female ART participated in the event with four athletes taking on the course in Belgrade on Saturday.
“The objective is to motivate more female refugee athletes to take up sport. If it's not athletics, then any other sport, but if it's athletics, even better. Because we believe that it can positively impact their lives,” says Alice Annibali, Senior Manager of Athletics for a Better World and the team lead in Belgrade.
“They see hope in this event. They can smile. You still see the sadness when you speak with them; they come from a past that was very difficult and sad.”
The Belgrade quartet are Esterina Irino Julius, Anjelina Nadai Lohalith, and Perina Lokure Nakang- the trio of South Sudanese origin based in Kenya, plus Farida Abaroge, an Ethiopian refugee based in France.
Additionally, the four had an all-female support team, with Janeth Jepkosgei as head coach.
“Without a nationality, you feel nothing. Even when you compete, you cannot be on a podium. But now I feel like I have a country. I know where I am going. Now I am competing like everybody else,” says Abaroge, who finished 62nd in Belgrade.
Athletics represents freedom for the 30-year-old.
These four athletes have a similar experience of their lives having been turned upside down and the traumatic journey of fleeing their countries because of conflict, war or political unrest.
“The fact that I can compete in a team at such a world event is already a big positive step forward for me. It gives us the opportunity we didn't have or would not have had. I feel like we have the same chances as other female athletes.
I feel the freedom that now I can excel in what I am doing, and my work is being recognized. I didn't feel much freedom, because I would run and win, and I couldn't be on the podium. But ever since I have been a part of the ART, I feel free.”
The all-female squad is part of the larger World Athletics Athlete Refugee Team founded in 2016 to provide an athletics home to athletes who fled their homes due to conflict, violence, and injustice.
This programme has grown over the years since the first athlete made an appearance at the 2016 Olympic Games. Several other athletes have competed at four editions of the World Athletics Championships and other major events since.
“This chance is beyond making a name for themselves on the world stage, but changing the narrative around refugee status, finding meaning, and being able to help their families financially,” says Annibali. “We know the trauma that they've been through and sport, as Mandela once said, has the power to change the world.”
By World Athletics
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