Cameroonian boxer out as lesbian secures historic medal at Paris 2024 Olympics
Cameroonian refugee boxer Cindy Ngamba has made history by becoming the first member of the Refugee Olympic Team to secure a medal. The UK-based athlete, who is openly lesbian, secured at least a bronze medal by beating France’s Davina Michel in the quarter-finals of the 75kg category on Sunday 4 August – yet another celebration for the LGBT+ community.
In an emotional statement after her win, Ngamba said: “It means the world to me to be the first refugee to win a medal. I am human, just like every other refugee and athlete around the world.”
The Refugee Olympic Team was created by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to enable forcibly displaced athletes unable to compete for their home countries to participate in the Olympic Games. The team debuted at the Rio Games in 2016 and continues to be a symbol of hope and resilience for millions of people.
Ngamba, who was the team’s flag bearer at the opening ceremony in Paris, moved to the UK from Cameroon when she was 10. She cannot compete for Team GB because she does not have a British passport and, due to her sexuality, cannot return to Cameroon, where homosexuality is criminalised and can result in up to five years in prison for the queer community.
Ngamba’s achievement is a milestone for the Refugee Olympic Team, made up of 37 athletes representing more than 120 million refugees worldwide. His success is seen as a source of inspiration and a symbol of perseverance in the face of adversity.
By Ezatamentchy
Source: Maxima
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