For many, the path to the Olympic Games is paved with rigorous training, discipline, and resilience. But for Afghan judoka Sibghatullah Arab, this journey has been marked by a 6,000-kilometer odyssey through five countries, driven by a quest for safety and the chance to compete on the world’s grandest stage.

In 2021, Arab, then a young athlete with dreams far beyond his rural home in northern Afghanistan, found his aspirations interrupted by the Taliban’s resurgence. Fleeing his war-torn homeland, he embarked on a perilous journey that would see him traverse through Pakistan, Iran, Turkey, and Greece before finally finding refuge in Germany.

His arrival in Europe was not the end of his trials. Settling in Germany, Arab faced the challenge of adapting to a new culture and continuing his training under less-than-ideal conditions. Yet, his determination never wavered. He found solace and purpose in judo, a sport he first fell in love with after watching the World Judo Championships on television back home.

Now, Arab stands on the cusp of realizing his Olympic dream as he prepares to compete for the International Olympic Committee (IOC) refugee team in the men’s 81kg category at the Paris 2024 Olympics. His journey embodies the spirit of perseverance and hope, transcending borders and adversities.

The IOC refugee team represents not just individual athletes but a collective testament to resilience and the pursuit of excellence amidst displacement and hardship. For Arab, every step of his journey, from the dusty roads of Afghanistan to the Olympic arenas of Paris, has been a testament to his unwavering commitment to his sport and his unyielding spirit.

As Arab prepares to step onto the tatami mats in Paris, his story resonates far beyond the judo community, symbolizing the strength of the human spirit and the enduring power of dreams.