The 19-year-old athlete will compete in the men’s 68 kg category. Another Refugee athlete Ali Reza Abbasi had won an Olympic berth in this weight category through the European Qualifiers, but he later was ruled ineligible to compete as a refugee, and Al-Ghotany was announced as a Refugee Team member by the IOC.

“I consider myself a very positive person. I’m outgoing and very curious to learn. I’m very social, but social with the people that I feel comfortable with. I really like discovering new things. I always need a challenge in my life to focus on, I like challenges as a person,” Alghotany told Olympics.com. The young athlete was also one the two flag bearers of the Refugee Team during the Opening Ceremony on 26 July.

“This is something amazing. What goes through my mind is flashbacks, memories of everything that I've gone through. To be the flagbearer for all the refugees around the world is just an amazing feeling, the emotions are amazing. I want to give hope and passion to all the refugees around the world.”

Al-Ghotany believes the Olympic Games is a place where anyone can reach, no matter his background and where he comes from.

“For me right now it is important to build a base to lead me to where I want to be and work hard. My goal doesn't stop here, it goes much further than that. My goal is results, not only at the Olympics, but any championships, because once I get results, it shows what I've worked on all these years,” concluded the athlete.