High Commissioner Grandi: We have really unveiled, fully, the incredible power of sport

13 October 2025 – Speaking at the 76^th Session of the UNHCR Executive Committee, UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi highlighted the “power of sport” and the longstanding partnership with the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Referring to the IOC as one of his “favourite partners”, Grandi said: “Over the years, through this joint work with the IOC, especially since the Rio Olympics, we have really unveiled, fully, the incredible power of sport – in terms of protection, in terms of inclusion and in terms of creating awareness around issues of displacement.”

Grandi, who is also the Vice-Chair of the Olympic Refuge Foundation, highlighted the importance of the longstanding partnership.

The work of the Olympic Refuge Foundation – that the IOC established – and the work done around the Refugee Olympic Teams have been great evidence of the importance of sport. All kids love sport, including refugee kids, including kids of communities hosting refugees. This is really the power of sport, to bring everyone together.

Filippo Grandi – UN High Commissioner for Refugees and Vice-Chair of the Olympic Refuge Foundation

A commitment to supporting displaced communities through sport

Grandi’s comments were delivered in response to a statement made by the IOC, which underlined the shared obligation to support displaced communities and called for cross-sector collaboration to be strengthened in order to respond to the growing humanitarian needs around the world.

The statement read: “While sport alone cannot address these challenges, it can play a valuable and complementary role, fostering positive outcomes and promoting peace. This is a role that the IOC, through the Olympic Refuge Foundation, is committed to strengthening.”

The IOC highlighted a number of key initiatives, including the continued inclusion of refugee athletes through the Refugee Athlete Support programme, the global reach of the Sport for Refugees Coalition, and the Paris Agreement, through which, in 2024, more than 60 heads of state called for the provision of sports programmes to promote social inclusion.

Olympic Refuge Foundation

Working in cooperation with the United Nations, international organisation, non-governmental organisations and other foundations, the Olympic Refuge Foundation supports the protection and empowerment of vulnerable displaced people through sport, and through the creation of safe spaces.