Paris 2024: Atangana wins 2nd Paralympic medal for Refugee Team
Refugee Paralympic Team Shines with Historic Medal at Paris 2024
On Sunday, 1 September, Guillaume Junior Atangana of the Refugee Paralympic Team made history at Stade de France by winning bronze in the men’s 400m T11. Junior ran a personal best time of 50.89 seconds, marking the team’s second-ever medal in the Paralympics.
“I am thrilled to have this medal. It proves that the Paralympic movement is empowering refugees, and it’s an honor to be part of this historic moment,” said Junior, widely known as Junior. “My message to all refugees is to believe in yourself!”
Junior’s achievement follows the Refugee Paralympic Team’s first medal, won by Zakia Khudadadi in Para taekwondo K44 -47kg on Thursday. Before the Games, Junior expressed his goal to win a medal and break the world record, declaring, “We will show what refugees can do!”
His performances have been impressive, with three consecutive personal bests over two days. On Saturday, Junior, alongside his guide runner Donard Ndim Nyamjua, set a personal best of 51.95 seconds in his heat, followed by a time of 51.03 seconds in the semifinal. This secured him a spot in the final, where he finished third, just behind France’s Timothee Adolphe.
A vision-impaired sprinter who competes blindfolded, Junior will also race in the 100 meters later in the Games with Nyamjua as his guide.
Junior lost his sight gradually by the age of 12, ending his dreams of professional football. However, running restored his confidence and love for sports. “Losing my sight was tough, but running made me feel free and confident,” he said.
He hopes his success in Paris inspires other refugees and people with disabilities. “I want to show that being blind doesn’t mean your life is over; you can still achieve great things,” he said.
UNHCR Deputy High Commissioner Kelly T. Clements praised Junior and Nyamjua for their courage and determination. “Their achievement is a powerful message of hope for refugees around the world,” Clements said.
The Refugee Paralympic Team, with eight athletes and two guide runners, is competing in six sports at Paris 2024, representing the dreams of millions of displaced people. Their participation highlights the support from UNHCR, the IPC, and the Olympic Refuge Foundation
