Zakia Khudadadi takes bronze and an historic first medal for Refugee Paralympic Team

Following her victory, Andrew Parsons, President of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), said: "Congratulations Zakia, on the first medal ever for the Refugee Paralympic Team! I am so proud of you; the medal is yours."

UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi handed out the medals to the winning athletes, Khudadadi included, during the presentation ceremony. "I am deeply moved tonight. This historic win for the Refugee Paralympic Team embodies the power, determination and grit of Zakia and her fellow refugees," Grandi said.

"Standing on the podium tonight, she represents 120 million people forcibly displaced worldwide. Zakia is a role model for us all. Despite the challenges she has faced, she has become a Paralympic medallist achieving the highest pinnacle of sporting success. The night is hers!

This is the third time the Refugee Paralympic Team is competing at the Games. The first team, comprised of two refugee athletes, competed at the Rio 2016 Paralympics Games. The team grew to six for Tokyo 2020 and in Paris, and in Paris, the eight refugee athletes and two guide runners are competing in six of the 22 sports - Para athletics, Para powerlifting, Para table tennis, Para taekwondo, Para triathlon, and wheelchair fencing.