2025-2028 IWF Refugee Team: few days left to apply!

All the candidates to the 2025-2028 IWF Refugee Team have still six days – until February 16 – to send their application to the IWF, in accordance with the regulations published in the first days of the year.

In accordance to those guidelines, the IWF Refugee Team – initially created in 2023 – will be composed by two male and two female lifters, to be chosen by the IWF Refugee Working Group. Two additional athletes (one from each gender) can be included in the group, provided they are IOC Refugee Scholarship holders.

In order to be eligible for the Team, athletes must be officially recognised as refugees in the country they reside, in accordance with the UNHCR (United Nations Refugee Agency) protocols. In the selection process, priority will be given to lifters coming from war zones and areas affected by environmental disasters.

The lifters included in the IWF Refugee Team can compete in IWF events, but will not be considered for the Los Angeles 2028 Qualification System and Olympic Games. This prerogative is reserved to athletes with an IOC scholarship.

The members selected to the IWF Refugee Team must fully comply with the IWF Anti-Doping Rules and complete all education activities related to this topic.

Besides the four lifters, a Team Manager and a Team Physiotherapist will also integrate the programme.

Don’t lose your opportunity to join the IWF Refugee Team – send you application by February 16, 2025!

All relevant information can be found here