Clementine Noumbissi Awarded Olympic Solidarity Refugee Athlete Scholarship

British Weight Lifting (BWL) welcomes the confirmation that Clémentine Noumbissi has been awarded an Olympic Solidarity Refugee Athlete Scholarship.

The scholarship, delivered by the International Olympic Committee through Olympic Solidarity provides targeted support to refugee athletes competing at an elite level. The programme is designed to enable athletes to train, access coaching, and compete internationally as part of their Olympic qualification pathway.

Noumbissi, who previously represented Cameroon, has competed extensively on the international stage. She won a bronze medal in the women’s 90kg event at the 2018 Commonwealth Games as well as competing at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. More recently, she also competed as part of the IWF Refugee Team at the 2024 IWF World Weightlifting Championships, placing 20^th in the women’s 86kg category.

Clementine Noumbissi said:

‘This support means a great deal to me. Weightlifting has been central to my journey and has helped me stay focused through difficult periods. Since coming to the UK, I have worked hard to adapt to a new environment and continue developing as an athlete. This scholarship provides the structure and support to take the next step in my career, refine my performance, and compete more consistently at an international level. My aim is to make the most of this opportunity and continue progressing towards the highest level of the sport.’

Matthew Curtain, BWL CEO said:

‘Clementine brings significant international experience and has consistently demonstrated the standards required at major championships. This scholarship provides the stability and performance environment needed to translate that experience into continued progression on the platform as we look ahead to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

BWL is grateful to the British Olympic Association, UK Sport, the International Weightlifting Federation, the International Olympic Committee and Olympic Solidarity for their ongoing support. Their collective commitment plays a vital role in ensuring athletes are able to access the systems and opportunities required to perform at the highest level.’

Noumbissi joins fellow UK-based athletes Fatemeh Keshavarz and Ramiro Mora Romero as part of the Olympic Refugee Athlete Scholarship programme.