Fouad Idbafdil’s Life and Achievements
Making a humble start as a military man, Fouad Idbafdil left his homeland to seek refuge in Europe. When he was refused asylum in Sweden, he turned to France, one of the largest asylum countries in Europe.

There, he utilised his military training to develop athletic prowess and secured a position on the Athlete Refugee Team. He went on to participate in international sporting events, achieving record scores and beating personal milestones. He is also one of the proud recipients of the International Olympic Committee scholarship.

Some of his recent notable achievements include:
3000m Steeplechase, 2023: Score of 1101 with best time of 8:34.72 at the Stade Raymond Troussier in Decines, France.
1500m in 2023: Score of 951 with best time of 3:52.03 at the Arena Civica Gianni Brera in Milano, Italy.
3000m in 2021: Score of 990 with best time of 8:15.06 at the Stadium Miramas Métropole in Miramas, France.
How Idbafdil Brings to Light the Struggles of Refugees
The first challenge Idbafdil faced was securing asylum, which he was denied in his first choice, Sweden. Second came his struggle to secure a position on the Athlete Refugee Team, which he gained through training, fitness, and mental fortitude to perform better than his peers.

Lastly, the challenge he faced was to train as an athlete with limited means, for which he achieved a scholarship from the International Olympic Committee and athletic sponsorship from France.

Through all of these, Idbafdil shows through example how refugees face challenges at every turn. And he is also a great example of how people can succeed through hard work and perseverance.
Idbafdil’s Message to Aspiring Athletes
Idbafdil urges young athletes, both refugees and others, to excel beyond their current athletic levels. He asks people to stay determined, consistent with their training, and persevere through challenges to achieve athletic success.