Refugee Olympic Team’s Cindy Ngamba Makes History with First Medal, Aiming to Inspire Millions

Cindy Winner Djankeu Ngamba’s journey epitomizes resilience and determination. The 25-year-old athlete made history by becoming the first-ever medalist for the Refugee Olympic Team, securing a bronze in the women’s 75kg boxing category at the Summer Olympics in Paris.

Ngamba, born in Cameroon, faced numerous hardships from a young age. At 11, she moved to the United Kingdom seeking a brighter future, only to confront additional struggles with citizenship and endure time in a detention camp due to paperwork issues.

Her life took a transformative turn at 15 when she discovered boxing. “Every day is a learning day in boxing. You have your ups and downs, just like in life in general,” Ngamba shared with CNN Sport’s Amanda Davies. Boxing not only served as a mental refuge but also became a source of empowerment and self-discovery.

Through boxing, Ngamba found solace and strength, overcoming the challenges of her past, including her difficult immigration process. Despite her rising success and training with the Great Britain boxing team, she continues to fight for British citizenship. Ngamba was granted refugee status due to the criminalization of same-sex activity in Cameroon, adding another layer to her inspiring story.

Team of Refugee Athletes

The Refugee Olympic Team Provides a Platform for Displaced Athletes to Shine on the Global Stage. Comprising 37 athletes this year, the team aims to showcase how refugees enrich society.

‘We should embrace refugees as valuable assets to our communities. They have the potential to be outstanding role models, just like the members of the Refugee Olympic Team,’ said Yusra Mardini, former refugee Olympian, UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador, and subject of the Netflix film ‘The Swimmers,’ in an interview with CNN.

These athletes may have lost everything and had to start anew in a foreign country, building new connections, learning a new language, and finding a sense of home. Sports can offer them an essential escape, aiding in their mental health, overcoming trauma, and rebuilding their self-esteem,’ Mardini continued.

Worldwide Refugee Crisis

Ngamba’s bronze medal is a landmark achievement for the Refugee Olympic Team and a beacon of hope for millions of displaced individuals globally.

‘This medal signifies that I am human, just like everyone else. Despite numerous obstacles, I stood firm and emerged victorious,’ Ngamba shared.

‘I hope that by winning this Olympic medal and representing refugees worldwide, people will recognize us as athletes who aspire to reach great heights.’

As of May 2024, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reported a record 120 million forcibly displaced people around the world.

Escalating Tensions

A touching moment followed Ngamba’s bronze medal win when Team GB’s Lewis Richardson draped his Union Jack flag around her during the celebrations in Paris.

‘It meant the world to me,’ Ngamba said. ‘Lewis, the GB boxers, and I have shared the ring and they’ve always treated me like family. Sharing that moment with him, knowing our mutual struggles, was deeply emotional.’

Ngamba’s achievement comes amid rising anti-immigrant sentiment in various countries, including the UK.

The nation is facing its most severe unrest in over a decade, with far-right, anti-immigrant violence surging following a misinformation campaign linked to a stabbing attack that killed three children in Southport, northern England.

In stark contrast to these protests, Ngamba’s Olympic podium appearance highlights the positive impact refugees can have. Her historic medal for the Refugee Olympic Team not only represents her personal resilience but also symbolizes the broader contributions of refugees striving for a better future.