World Athletics once again placed sport at the center of the global humanitarian debate by presenting its two-year commitment to refugee athletes during the Progress Review of the UNHCR World Refugee Forum, held in Geneva. In a context marked by more than 120 million forcibly displaced people worldwide, the international federation reaffirmed that athletics can be a practical tool for protection and well-being for those who have been forced to flee their homes.
World Athletics’ participation in this international forum reflected a vision that goes beyond competition. As an active member of the Sports Coalition for Refugees, the organization linked its global sporting calendar with deep human realities, positioning sport as a safe environment for dignity and belonging.
Athletics as a space for protection and inclusion
During the three-day meeting held at the International Conference Centre Geneva, World Athletics’ role within the coalition was recognized in a setting where more than 30 new commitments were announced. Since joining in 2023, coalition members have collectively supported more than 529,000 people, trained over 11,000 coaches, and created or refurbished more than 160 sports spaces, strengthening safe and inclusive environments for displaced communities.
World Athletics was represented by its vice president and president of Athletics Kenya, Jackson Tuwei, a key figure in the link between athletics and refuge since 2016. “Athletics is not only about competitions and results, but also about the physical and mental well-being of the athlete,” he said, emphasizing that sport helps challenge stigma and change narratives.
A commitment extending to Dakar 2026 and Beijing 2027
World Athletics’ new two-year commitment focuses on two key milestones: the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games and the Beijing 2027 World Athletics Championships. In both cases, the federation committed to ensuring real competitive opportunities for talented refugee athletes, working alongside the Olympic Refuge Foundation and encouraging its member federations to broaden access to competition pathways.
This support goes beyond the track and includes sponsoring training camps, increasing the number of certified refugee coaches, and providing media training programs. These actions are implemented under the World Athletics Safeguarding Policy and in coordination with the Athletics Integrity Unit, strengthening the protection and well-being of athletes within a program that, since 2016, has established the Refugee Athlete Team (ART) as the only permanent refugee team in global sport.
