Kasra Mehdipournejad wants you to understand something about refugees: "We are someone like you; we're not different," he says on the latest episode of the Olympics.com podcast. "Same, same. We are human." It's a stirring message from the member of the IOC Refugee Olympic Team in taekwondo, who reflects on his Paris 2024 experience with host Nick McCarvel with both World Refugee Day (20 June) and Olympic Day (23 June) top of mind. 

Mehdipournejad calls his Olympic debut "something really unique and different," and is already eyeing LA 2028. In the episode, he opens up on what his journey to the Games was like, how he'd like the Refugee Team to be an inspiration around the world and how his partner, Parisa, played a critical role in helping his dreams come true.

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Relevant links

• Pau Gasol's full interview with Rafael Nadal from the International Athletes' Forum 2025:

https://www.olympics.com/athlete365/news/iaf/tennis-legend-rafael-nadal-surprises-international-athletes-forum