A sprinter who moved from Cameroon to Bradford will be the flagbearer for the refugee team at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Paralympic games. Guillaume Junior Atangana is visually impaired. The sprinter will compete with guide runner Donard Nyamjua in the 400m T11.
The pair had previously represented Cameroon at the 2020 Paralympics before seeking refuge in the UK after competing in the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. Atangana said that he was “very moved and happy” to be given the opportunity to carry the team flag. He had been training at Bradford, Keighley and Skipton (BKS) Disability Athletics Club.
Both athletes are students at Bradford College where Atangana studied its ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) and Nyamjua is currently sitting GCSE English and Maths Entry Level 3, according to the BBC.
They have had to juggle their studies with the training studies but are able to thanks in part to the support they have received from the college.
“We come to college three times a week and attend our lectures and meet with our tutors,” Atangana said. “We receive lots of support. For me, in particular, my English skills have improved greatly, which is helping me interact better with people.”
Those competing in the T11 class are severely visually impaired and compete blindfolded while accompanied by a guide runner. Atangana will also race in the 100m with his other guide, Israel Malachi-Harrison.
As a child, football was his love but at the age of eight, his vision had begun deteriorating, before his sight was lost entirely by 12. It was a PE teacher who encouraged him to focus on running because of his speed. This was what led him to compete as a Paralympian.
Atangana and Nyamjua sought asylum in the UK after the situation in Cameroon had become dangerous, making it impossible to pursue athletics careers in a safe and supportive environment. Along with seven others competing in six sports, they are part of the largest Refugee Paralympic team ever and hope to build on the success of the Refugee Olympic Team.
