TORONTO (May 2, 2024) — On Thursday, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced the 36 athletes named to the Paris 2024 Refugee Olympic Team, including judoka Nigara Shaheen.

This will be the second Olympic Games for Shaheen, who is one of seven refugee athletes living and training in Canada. The Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) is extremely proud to be one of the world’s largest hosts of Refugee Scholarship Holders through IOC Olympic Solidarity and the Refugee Athletes Support Program. The COC continues to play an important role in advocating the importance of such programs, in pursuit of a safe, inclusive, and barrier-free sport system.

“The Canadian Olympic Committee is thrilled to see Nigara Shaheen named to the IOC Refugee Olympic Team for Paris 2024. An Olympian who stands up for what she believes in, Shaheen is also a determined and impressive advocate for women’s rights. Her inspiring journey from Afghanistan to Canada gives hope to others and is a testament to resilience and the transformative power of sport. We look forward to cheering her on at Paris 2024.” said COC President Tricia Smith.

Shaheen, who has been supported by the COC since January 2023, currently trains in Ontario.

“Paris 2024 is very important as a refugee athlete especially with the current world situation. It is a chance for us to prove that refugees can be an asset too and I will utilize it to the fullest,” said Nigara Shaheen, IOC Refugee Olympic Team member for Paris 2024. 

Media contact
Thomas Hall – Director, Communications and Public Relations
Email: thall@olympic.ca
Phone: 514-709-1054