Olympic Refuge Foundation launches “Think Sport. Think Refuge" podcast

The Olympic Refuge Foundation (ORF) Think Tank has launched a new podcast, “Think Sport. Think Refuge,” hosted by ORF Think Tank Co-Chair Professor Alastair Ager. The podcast will explore the role of sport in promoting peace, belonging, and well-being among displaced young people. 

Episodes will feature conversations between guest refugee athletes and Think Tank members. They will share insights from humanitarian programs, training activities, and research focused on helping young refugees find a sense of belonging through sport. The podcast aims to foster inclusive dialogue and debate on how sport can positively impact those in situations of forced displacement. 

The first episode, “Enabling Refugee Engagement in Sport,” will feature the Olympic athlete and refugee Rose Nathike who was the flag bearer for the first ever Refugee Olympic Team, alongside ORF Think Tank member and Associate Professor Simon Rosenbaum. Together, they will discuss efforts to involve refugees in sport at both elite and grassroots levels. 

The second episode will examine the critical role of the coach, and others who provide support, with insights from Refugee Olympic Team Welfare Officer, Olympic athlete and a refugee Cyrille Tchatchet and Dr. Leslie Snider, a key contributor to the joint International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) Psychosocial Reference Centre and Olympic Refuge Foundation initiative Sport Coach+. 

In the third episode, the focus will shift to sport and refugee protection. Sarah Harrison from the IFRC PSC , and a refugeeyouth advocate Lam Joar, assistant to the Refugee Olympic Team for the Olympic Games, Tokyo 2020, will discuss how sport supports refugee protection mandates.

   

The final episode will link refugee inclusion to broader issues of disability and gender inclusion. Special Olympics Advisor and refugee Gerald Mballe and Refugee Olympic Team athlete Muna Dahouk share their perspectives. 

Jojo Ferris, Head of ORF, expressed her enthusiasm about the podcast: “I am so excited to see such a terrific line-up of guests for the “Think Sport. Think Refuge”. podcast. Increasing access to safe sport is a way to support young people in situations of forced displacement. 

How and why we do that is going to be very interesting for your listeners I think. We’ll hear from athletes, coaches, young displaced people, humanitarian workers and researchers about the differences sport can make, on the international stage and in their own communities.” 

The podcast will also feature music by refugee artist Krisildo Guce. Don’t forget to subscribe to “Think Sport. Think Refuge” to stay updated on new episodes and join the conversation on the role of sport in promoting peace, belonging and well-being.