Claude Marshall’s journey to becoming a key figure in creating the UNHCR/ IOC Olympic Refugee Team is a testament to his dedication to humanitarian efforts and his profound understanding of the refugee experience. His story begins in 1964 when he first visited Gstaad with his pregnant wife, seeking the rejuvenating mountain air after transferring to Geneva from New York. For the next 30 years, Claude worked tirelessly in public relations and advertising, with minimal time to enjoy the serene beauty of Gstaad.

In 1993, Claude retired from his consultancy role, having spent years travelling across Europe. Despite having a comfortable retirement package, he sought a meaningful occupation that resonated with his background as a refugee. Claude and his family fled Heidelberg in 1936, escaping the Nazi regime. This personal history deeply influenced his decision to join the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) headquartered in Geneva.

Claude’s entry into UN-HCR was serendipitous. He attended a speech by Madame Sadako Ogata, then the chief executive of UN-HCR, and later found himself seated next to her at a dinner party. Seizing the moment, he expressed his desire to work with UNHCR, offering his services for free. Impressed by his background and commitment, Ogata hired him on the spot. At UNHCR, Claude was tasked with raising funds from the private sector, targeting projects that included schools, healthcare facilities, and housing. However, a recurring plea from regional managers for funds for youth sports caught his attention. Despite the natural inclination of refugee children to play sports, it was often unorganised and under-resourced. Camp staff would often use their own money to buy sports equipment or children would make do with makeshift balls. Recognising the potential of sports to transform refugee children’s lives, Claude reached out to sports federations around Lake Geneva, securing support from volleyball, basketball, and football organisations among others. This marked the beginning of his focus on sports within UNHCR. His efforts caught the attention of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), leading to a partnership aimed at developing sports programs for refugee youth.

In 1994, the IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch signed a cooperation agreement with Madame Ogata. Claude, still the 100% of the UN-HCR refugee sports staff, worked closely with IOC representatives, including a former Ethiopian refugee. They collaborated on various projects, including a significant initiative with refugee boys of different ages in a large Kenyan camp near the Sudanese border. With IOC funding, they cleared fields of boulders to create safe sports pitches and provided sports equipment. The success of these programs was evident, attracting visits from IOC officials who saw firsthand the positive impact on refugee children.

One poignant moment for Claude was when a young girl in a Kenyan camp requested equal sports opportunities for girls, highlighting that sports could help them heal from their traumatic experiences. This lesson underscored the importance of gender equality in sports programming at UNHCR.

Claude’s efforts culminated in the formation of the first Refugee Olympic Team by the IOC for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics. Initially, UN-HCR struggled to identify top athletes within their camps. However, they shifted focus to refugees who had already fled their countries and had sports backgrounds. The IOC funded further training for these athletes, leading to a team of ten refugee athletes representing millions of displaced persons worldwide.

The Refugee Olympic Team became a symbol of hope and resilience, demonstrating the universal power of sports to connect and inspire. Claude emphasised that sports provide refugee children with a sense of normalcy, teaching core values, alleviating boredom, and fostering a sense of belonging and hope. Sports heroes became real heroes for refugee children, and the Olympic refugee team offered them a dream to aspire to.

Claude's work with the IOC and UNHCR showcases the critical role of sports in the lives of refugee children, helping them overcome trauma and build self-respect. His story is a powerful reminder of the transformative power of sports and the importance of providing opportunities for all children, regardless of their circumstances.

Claude Marshall’s legacy continues as he works daily with UNHCR, ensuring that refugee children have the chance to experience the joys of sports, reclaim their childhoods, and dream of a brighter future. His journey from a refugee child to a pivotal figure in the creation of the UNHCR Olympic Refugee Team is an inspiring example of how one person’s dedication can make a profound difference in the lives of many.

JEANETTE WICHMANN