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Three years ago, the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) announced the creation of a refugee team. The intent was to provide an avenue to international competition for athletes who could not otherwise qualify—those displaced from their home countries due to extreme financial hardship, bureaucratic hurdles, or political violence.
Ramiro Romero (WRT) is a weightlifting refugee. Since he and his family fled Cuba in 2019, Ramiro has competed on the sport's biggest stages under a blank banner.
"It stirs up mixed feelings," he says of his career. Members of the refugee team, designation WRT, are the black sheep of international weightlifting. They face additional restrictions and enjoy few benefits.
We sat down with Ramiro to find out how these athletes—he's one of three headed to Ningbo, China, for Worlds this year—make it work.
Weightlifting House
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Ramiro Romero
Below is a transcript of our conversation with weightlifting refugee athlete Ramiro Romero. This interview has been translated from Spanish and edited for content.
Weightlifting House (WH): How did you become a refugee athlete?
Ramiro Romero (RR): "Leaving Cuba was one of the hardest decisions of my life. It was not to do with sport, but a consequence of having to leave my country in search of safety and a better future.
At the time, I didn't know if I'd ever compete again. Once I arrived in the UK, I had to start practically from scratch.
The IWF gave me the opportunity to continue competing at the highest level, representing millions of refugees around the world. It is a huge honour and responsibility that goes far beyond sport.
Every time I compete, I try to show that refugees not only survive their hardships, but can also achieve excellence."
WH: What kind of unique challenges do refugee weightlifters face?
RR: "We must meet all the same requirements as the other athletes, but have unique obstacles. For example, we are often prohibited from certain competitions, or are ineligible to win medals, despite having qualified on athletic merit.
Our legal status is always in question, which affects travel as well. We can be detained at airports during international travel and face lengthy questioning just because of our refugee documentation. Sometimes, these delays have caused us to miss flights or entire competitions."
WH: How do you feel about being able to compete and set records, but not always win medals?
RR: "it stirs up mixed feelings. I am deeply grateful to the UK for opening its doors to me. Thanks to the support I've received here—I'd like to single out Stuart Martin, who has always been by my side—I've been able to become a British Champion multiple times.
But internationally, I cannot represent Team GB internationally. I don't see it as a conflict, but as two important parts of my story. I'm proud to train in the UK while representing millions of refugees around the world."
WH: What kind of relationship do you have with other refugee weightlifters?
RR: "We have a very close relationship. It's based on mutual respect. Although we come from different countries and cultures, and speak differently languages, we share a similar experience. We all understand what it means to have to rebuild our lives far from home.
When we come together at training camps or competitions, there's a real sense of family. We support each other. I'm proud to be part of a group that inspires so many people around the world."
WH: What have you learned by watching your competitors?
RR: "Success doesn't depend solely on talent. The world's best athletes stand out for their discipline, perseverance, and patience. Watching how they cope with pressure and bounce back has taught me progress is built day by day. Every athlete's journey is different. Constantly comparing yourself to them isn't helpful."
WH: What's your biggest obstacle right now?
RR: "Lack of financial resources. But also, one of my biggest frustrations is that we refugees are not allowed to take part in competitions like the European Championships or Commonwealth Games. I don't think this is fair. The explanation we've been given is that we don't represent any country directly. We train and compete with the same dedication."
WH: Your thoughts on the new weight classes?
RR: "I'd like to compete at 95KG. It suits my physique very well and I think I can reach my full potential there. I want to be among the best in the world during the build-up to LA28.
I think the new categories are an interesting change overall because they may make the competitions more balanced. There will be a period of adjustment, but there are new opportunities that did not exist before."
