While attempting to qualify for the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 in 2021, many of the 51 Refugee Athlete Scholarship-holders are balancing intense training schedules with efforts to give back to their host communities and support fellow refugees in navigating the additional challenges caused the COVID-19 pandemic. Here, we put the spotlight on four inspirational projects that are showing other refugees what’s possible.

Fifteen months ago, young mother Khaoula had never even thought about competing in shooting sports. Now, she has successfully reached the minimum qualification standard for the women’s 10m air rifle at Tokyo 2020 and is hoping to be named in the Refugee Olympic Team. A remarkable story that reverberates far beyond sport.

Australian surfer Sally Fitzgibbons believes there will be a major change to women’s surfing when action restarts following the COVID-19 lockdown. As the sport gears up for its historic Olympic debut, she and her peers are ready to bring aerials to the fore.

Teddy Riner, Dina Asher Smith and Mary Kom lead reactions to decision to delay Games until 2021.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) continues its consultations with all the stakeholders of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020. They discussed the communique published by the IOC on 17 March. Quotes from the consultation (constantly updated):

Two-time Olympian and seven-time X Games gold medallist Henrik Harlaut has a simple recipe for success when it comes to freestyle skiing big air: practise, practise, practise and then, no matter the logic, convince yourself that you can do it. 

At the age of just 20, Sweden’s Hanna Öberg shocked the biathlon world by winning Olympic gold at PyeongChang 2018 without missing a single shot. She says her singular focus and ability to stay calm under pressure will be key in her pursuit of even greater success.

On 25 February 2006, Clara Hughes was crowned Olympic champion in the 5,000m at the Olympic Oval in Turin. Her success in speed skating, winning a total of four medals came after a podium finish in road cycling in Atlanta, 10 years earlier. The Canadian champion is the only athlete to win multiple medals at both the Winter and Summer Games.