The British-based boxer Cindy Ngamba has been tipped to become the first athlete to win a medal for the International Olympic Committee’s refugee team after qualifying for the Paris Olympics this summer.
Ngamba, 26, was born in Cameroon but moved to England 15 years ago. GB Boxing wanted to pick her for their Olympic squad, but were unable to because she does not have a British passport. Instead Ngamba qualified for the IOC refugee team by winning a tournament in Italy last month and was officially named among the 36 athletes to compete under its banner on Thursday. She is the first refugee athlete to make the Olympics boxing tournament, and the first in any sport to earn a place in the Games by qualification rather than selection.
