Some athletes are applying for asylum in their host countries after the Olympic Games or elsewhere in Europe, citing often security reasons or desires to advance their sporting careers further.

Brussels

After attending the Paris Olympics, Congolese boxer Marcelat Sakobi decided to remain in Belgium, where she has continued her training while applying for asylum. Sakobi cited security concerns and her desire to advance her sporting career as reasons for her decision. Despite being unable to leave Belgium while her application is processed, Sakobi has managed to participate in two fights, improving her global ranking significantly.

This scenario reflects a broader trend of athletes seeking asylum in host countries after international competitions. Athletes often apply for asylum for various reasons including security issues and the opportunity to further their careers. Though the phenomenon is not well-documented, some reports suggest that entire Paralympic teams may have opted to stay in Europe following the Paris Olympics.

In Belgium, a local association has been supporting refugee athletes like Sakobi, offering training opportunities to help them pursue their sporting ambitions. This support allows athletes to compete at a high level and even represents Belgium in future competitions. Sakobi's coach is optimistic about her potential, emphasizing her world-class capabilities and aspirations for future success.



Staying behind: Olympic athletes seek asylum in Europe

This gym is far from being suitable for professional training, but since she's been staying at this asylum center in Belgium, Marcelat Sakobi has redoubled her efforts to continue her physical training, despite everything. After the Paris Olympics last summer, this Congolese boxer decided to stay in Europe, for security reasons, which she prefers not to discuss, but also for her sporting ambitions. There are no Congolese who are better and who stay in the country. Why? Because we are neglected. Personally, I am a woman, I have been to the Olympic Games twice, but I always leave eliminated, and I can't get to the level where I can win a medal. That's why I stayed in Belgium, to improve my boxing. This is a little-documented phenomenon, but it is said to occur after every international competition. At the end of the short-term visa granted for the duration of the event, some athletes like Marcelat decide to apply for asylum. Since arriving in Belgium, the young woman has been able to participate in two fights. But while her application is pending, it's impossible to imagine boxing outside the country, much to the dismay of the coach who took her under his wing. She was ranked 140th in the world, but thanks to her last fight, she's now 45th. I checked this morning, she has a world level, so with a well-directed path, she can go to the top. I am certain of that. This taekwondo coach also took in a para-athlete who declined to be filmed. In its 10 years of existence, in addition to training young Belgians like Issam, this Brussels-based association has supported around 10 refugee athletes. They still have the drive to be able to compete at the highest level. And here we give them the chance to train, to prepare for the future. And the goal is for them to participate in the Belgian colors. It's impossible to quantify the number of athletes who chose to remain in Europe after the Paris Olympics. But according to an investigation by the newspaper L'Equipe, entire Paralympic teams may not have returned to their countries.

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