At People for People, we believe in the power of dreams. We are thrilled to announce that two exceptional refugee athletes, Muna Dahouk (Judo), and Mohammed Rashnonezhad (Judo) are joining us as ambassadors. These athletes, set to compete in the 2024 Paris Olympics for the IOC Refugee Team, will help inspire unaccompanied minors to pursue their dreams, no matter how challenging the journey may be.
Many Athletes, Different Journeys
Many athletes share the same dreams, but the paths they take are vastly different. Professional athletes often have access to extensive resources and support, while refugee athletes face significant hurdles. Despite these challenges, our ambassadors have shown remarkable resilience and determination.
Meet Our Ambassadors
Muna Dahouk left war-torn Syria for the Netherlands in 2019. After a decade-long hiatus from judo due to the war, Dahouk returned to the sport with vigor. She competed in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and is now preparing for Paris 2024. Dahouk says, “Sports is one of the ways we can break down stereotypes. As an athlete, I will be representing more than 120 million displaced people. For me, Paris is a dream come true and I will do my best to show the world what refugees can do.”
Mohammed Rashnonezhad began judo at the age of 8 and was invited to train with Iran’s national team at 13. He has won top places in the Asian Championships and Hohhot Grand Prix. Since arriving in the Netherlands in 2017, he has continued to excel and is now set to represent the Refugee Olympic team at Paris 2024.
Why This Matters
Many of the children we meet have been forced to leave their homes and face numerous challenges upon arrival. They often haven’t had the chance to dream about their future. Our ambassador program aims to change that by showcasing the incredible stories of our athletes. We want these children to see that with perseverance and hard work, they too can achieve their dreams.
What it means being the first People for People ambassadors!
Through our partnership with these athletes, we aim to bring hope and inspiration to unaccompanied minors. They will be joining us in a campaign this summer, sharing their stories, their love for Judo, and encouraging the children to pursue their dreams.
One way they’ll be doing this is by recording an inspirational video message we can share with kids at the different COA locations we visit during the Olympics. After the Olympics, they will be joining us in-person providing workshops for the kids at some of the locations and taking part in our Olympic-themed Rolling Aid Event at the Olympic Stadium in Amsterdam at the end of August.
Join us in making a difference
Follow us on LinkedIn or Instagram to learn more about the journeys of these amazing athletes and how they inspire others. We will also be utilizing our network to support these athletes in their quest for success. Let’s support these athletes and the children they inspire together. 💫
