Paris 2024 Olympics

Paris 2024 Olympics: Ngamba set to make history as IOC Refugee team on course to win its first medal

1 min read August 5, 2024

After ensuring the Refugee Olympic Team would win its first medal in the Paris 2024 Olympics, Cindy Ngamba cemented her place in history.

The British boxer advanced to the 75kg semi-finals on Sunday by defeating French prospect Davina Michel via unanimous points decision.

Even if Ngamba falls to Panama’s Atheyna Bylon on Thursday, she will still likely win a bronze medal because there are no third-place bouts at the Games.

Ngamba made history here by leading the Refugee Team and serving as the flagbearer at the opening ceremony a little more than a week ago. Despite this, the fighter from Cameroon intends to continue until the very end.

“It means the world to me, to be the first ever refugee to win a medal,” Ngamba said.
“I’m just a human, just like any other refugee, athlete and refugee all around the world. But I hope I can change the medal in my next fight.
“I was fighting a very tough opponent today. A lot of people were not cheering for me. But I listened to my team, I listened to my coaches and I listened to myself.
“I stuck to the tactics and I stayed calm and composed. I’m happy that I got the job done. Hopefully, in the next one, I will also get the job done. No, not hopefully. I will get it done.”

Ngamba qualified for the Olympics by qualification rather than selection, making her the first athlete from a refugee group to compete in the boxing competition in May.

The 25-year-old, who was born in Cameroon, immigrated to England in 2009, but she is not allowed to go back because she is gay, which is still illegal in her own country.

Team GB backed her citizenship application, but it was unsuccessful, therefore Ngamba travelled to Paris to represent the International Olympic Committee’s refugee team.

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