Syrian refugee makes history in Paralympic games

A Syrian refugee who lost his lower right leg in a bomb blast during the war in the country made history by leading the first Independent Paralympic Athletes Team in the Rio 2016 Games in Brazil.

“I’m really happy and proud to be the flagbearer. It’s one of the best feelings I’ve ever had in my life,” Ibrahim Al-Hussein told the UN Refugee Agency.

In 2013, Ibrahim fled to Turkey after losing his lower right leg in a bomb blast in Syria while tending to a friend and spent the following year learning to walk again. Soon after, he boarded an inflatable dingy to Greece where he quickly resumed his competitive training.

Before the conflict in Syria, Ibrahim competed at local and national swimming competitions before his career plan was halted by the onset of war.

“Before the war in Syria, I dreamt about participating in the Olympics … after what happened and after my injury, I kept going and now I’m in the Paralympics. I kept my dream,” he explains.

UH High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi said: “[He exemplifies] the courage and fortitude of refugees all over the world who have disabilities. The Independent Paralympic Athletes Team is an example of what can be achieved when refugees with disabilities are given the chance to follow their dreams and develop their talents.”

Earlier this year, Ibrahim was chosen to carry the Olympic torch through the Eleonas refugee camp in Athens, home to 1,600 people, in a symbolic gesture of solidarity with refugees around the world during the Paralympic Games.

Ibrahim will compete in the 50-metre and 100-metre freestyle events. “I have one wish – gold! I want to send a message to all those who have been injured, that you can still reach your dreams,” he said.

This is the first time refugees and those with asylum status have been given special recognition at the Olympics.