“This team will enjoy all the privileges like the other teams and athletes and by welcoming the team of refugee Olympic Athletes to the Olympic Games Rio 2016, we want to send a message of hope for all refugees of the world”.
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On Wednesday the International Olympic Committee (IOC) approved the plan for a team of refugees to compete in Rio when the games commence on 5 August.
Thomas Bach, IOC President, says, “Today I am happy to announce the creation of the Olympic Team of refugee Olympic athletes (ROA)”.
“We will welcome these refugee athletes with the Olympic flag and with the Olympic anthem”.
The athletes and the sports they will compete in will be named at the next International Olympic Committee executive board meeting in June.
The 37-year-old, one of the world’s wealthiest boxers, made the comments while training for what he said would be his last professional fight, an April 9 Las Vegas rematch with American Timothy Bradley.
“Absolutely not”, said Mayweather when asked about a possible Olympic stint. “My gut feeling is this team will end up with between five and 10 athletes”. Spokesmen for the Philippine Olympic Committee had no comment on Pacquiao’s statement.
Mr Bach said they will provide officials, coaches and support staff for the team. “Alongside athletes from all corners of the globe, they will be received with open arms at the Olympic Village and by all of Rio 2016, and we are sure that Brazilians will also welcome them with the warmth for which they are renowned”.
In December, an IOC official identified three potential refugees as Olympic athletes: a swimmer from Syria now in Germany, a judoka from Congo now in Brazil and a taekwondo fighter from Iran now in Belgium.
The refugees receive financial and other assistance from the IOC’s Olympic Solidarity program.
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The squad, officially dubbed the Team of Refugee Olympic Athletes (ROA) will be the final group to march into the Olympic Stadium before the Brazilian host team enters.
