Cindy Ngamba Makes History as First Refugee Athlete to Win Olympic Medal at Paris 2024

Born in Cameroon and trained in Britain, boxer Cindy Ngamba made history at Paris 2024 by becoming the first athlete to win an Olympic medal for the Refugee Olympic Team. The 25-year-old, who lives up to her middle name, Winner Djankeu Ngamba, has achieved a groundbreaking milestone.

Ngamba, the first refugee athlete to qualify for the Olympic boxing tournament, carried the flag for the Refugee Olympic Team during the Paris opening ceremony. She now stands on the podium after securing a victory in her quarter-final match in the 75kg category against France's Davina Michel.

Ngamba won the match by unanimous decision in three rounds on Sunday, advancing to the semifinals and guaranteeing herself at least a bronze medal. In Olympic boxing, two bronze medals are awarded to the losing semi-finalists to avoid a third-place runoff.

“It means the world to me to be the first refugee to win a medal,” Ngamba said after the match. “I’m just a human, just like any other refugee and athlete around the world.”