The Refugee Olympic Team (ROT) have drawn a massive following at the Games, not least Anis, who will be looking for another PB in the 100m butterfly on 11 August, alongside his hero Michael Phelps, who earlier this week extended his record Olympic gold medal tally to 21. But, as of now, the Refugee Olympic Team are not able to officially use the flag or the anthem.
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The International Olympic Committee has set up a screen to show the Olympics at Kakuma Refugee Camp in Northwest Kenya. They have nowhere to go – and no choice but to leave. All countries fraught with internal conflicts and foreign interventions.
Oftentimes, young vulnerable refugees become lost in a sea of grief and trauma, many bearing the psychological scars of war and the soul-destroying loss of loved ones. “The noise when the refugee team walked in, wow, they gave us such a big cheer”. However, never before has there been a team of refugees. Half are refugees from South Sudan, two fled Syria, two left the Democratic Republic of the Congo and one is originally from Ethiopia.
The athletes journey has been far from easy. From having borne witness to torture and terror to feeling isolated and petrified in the countries wherein they sought refuge, many believed they would never compete again.
Yusra Mardini, Syria, 18 years old, competes in 200-meter freestyle swimming.
A group of creatives heard about the new team a few months ago-and the fact that they wouldn’t have a flag to march behind, or a national anthem of their own-and made a decision to help.
Fortunately, Yusra’s landing in Germany led to monumental success. I will meet so many people.
James Nyang Chiengjiek, a runner from South Sudan shares yet another story of pivotal triumph in the face of crisis.
James soon began training for long-distance events and his life took a monumental turn for the better. They don’t have a nation. The organisation is trying to get recognition from the IOC. “Team Refugee” is a remarkable step for development and will act as an innovative form of awareness-raising.
IOC President Thomas Bach recently said “These refugees have no home, no team, no flag, no national anthem”.
“This is something that’s very special, that no matter what’s going on in the world we can all come together as one, in one Village, competing in the same events”.
UNHCR’s work in Nepal also includes providing protection and assistance to around 15,000 Tibetan refugees, 550 urban refugees of diverse nationalities and helping find solutions for people without access to citizenship certificates.
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They all know the eyes of the South Sudanese, and the world, will be on them. “We stand with refugees as they overcome diversity and achieve victories – both on the playing field and in everyday life”. Under the guise of resurgent nationalism hatred toward refugees spills out at rallies and across social media.
