Young Syrian refugees conclude Rome taekwondo tour with private Colosseum visit

Syrian refugee taekwondo athletes visit the Colosseum during an exclusive morning tour, Sunday. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk

ROME — Seven young taekwondo athletes from refugee camps in Jordan capped off a busy week in Rome early Sunday morning with an exclusive visit to the Colosseum. Courtesy of the Italian Taekwondo Federation (FITA), the refugee children and World Taekwondo delegates were the only guests inside the historic landmark.

The athletes — Laour Fahed Alahmad, Marwa Ealawi Almahmoud Alshaeikh, Loujain Wesam Alrefaei, Sereen Mohammad Ghuzlan, Huda Khaled Alkhaled, Baraa Mohammad Aldamad and Remas Yaser Haji Ramadan — are Syrian nationals between the ages of 7 and 14 based at the Azraq and Za’atari camps.

Syrian refugee taekwondo athletes visit the Colosseum during an exclusive morning tour, Sunday. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk

The private Sunday tour concluded an eventful itinerary for the children. Earlier in the week, they joined World Taekwondo President Choue Chung-won for a visit to the Vatican to meet with Pope Leo XIV. They also stepped onto the mats at the Foro Italico to compete in the Kim and Liù youth tournament, held concurrently with the Rome 2026 World Taekwondo Grand Prix.

A member of the World Taekwondo Performance Team demonstrates in front of the Colosseum, Sunday. The showcase was held during an exclusive morning event for refugee athletes. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk

During their morning at the Colosseum, the children watched the World Taekwondo Performance Team and FITA’s Ciao Team deliver a spectacular taekwondo demonstration against the ancient backdrop. They were joined for the showcase by World Taekwondo Secretary General Seo Jeong-kang, FITA President Angelo Cito and World Taekwondo Council member Maher Magableh.

Syrian refugee taekwondo athletes visit the Colosseum during an exclusive morning tour, Sunday. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk

The venue already holds special significance for the sport's governing body; in June 2019, World Taekwondo staged the first-ever medal ceremony for a modern sport inside the Colosseum. Now, the historic landmark carries a similar lasting meaning for this new generation.

As their busy week of competition and tours draws to a close, the young athletes are returning to the camps in Jordan with unforgettable memories from Rome — and a growing belief that they, too, belong on the international stage.

Syrian refugee taekwondo athletes leave the Colosseum following an exclusive morning tour, Sunday. The young athletes, who live in refugee camps in Jordan, visited the historic landmark after participating in events surrounding the Rome 2026 World Taekwondo Grand Prix. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk