For the first time in Olympics history, a team of refugee athletes will band together in Rio de Janeiro this August to represent the 20 million people in the world who have no one country to call home. He doesn’t know where his family is or whether they’re aware of his Olympic triumph. The ROT will walk out with the Olympic flag ahead of host nation Brazil at the opening ceremony. She said she swam in Rio to honour other refugees and show them what was possible.
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In March, International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach announced he would choose five to 10 refugee athletes to compete at the Games.
Half of the team are athletes from South Sudan while the other half includes an two Syrian athletes, two from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and an Ethiopian athlete.
“It was really cool and everything was wonderful and everyone welcomed us”, she said of the opening ceremony, speaking as reporters crowded around.
Perhaps the best known is Yusra Mardini, originally from Syria.
Mardini, who will also compete in the 100m freestyle next Wednesday, also spoke of her delight marching with the rest of the refugee team on Friday night.
The International Olympic Committee handpicked refugees from around the world to highlight the refugee crisis plaguing the world today. “But life will not stop for you, your pain, your problems”, said swimmer Yusra Mardini. One name you might recognize is Yusra Mardini, an 18-year-old swimmer from Syria.
Former marathon world record holder Tegla Loroupe is the Mission Head for the Refugee Team. Mardinia and her sister, Sarah, as well as two others jumped in the water to help prevent their boat from capsizing. Dear refugee athletes, you are sharing a message of hope to all of the refugees around the world.
“Everything was wonderful. It was the only thing I ever wanted was to compete in the Olympics”. At some point, you have to move on. All the people on that boat were part of me.
Here’s how people are reacting to her story.
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Six men and four women on the team will serve as the symbol for the 65-millions of refugees all over the world, bringing them hope, strength, and inspiration. “I am extremely happy and I am going to struggle to win medal”, Misenga said.
