But for athletes and sporting fans who are making their way to Rio de Janeiro for the 2016 Summer Olympics beginning on August 5, their quest to “catch ’em all” will have to wait until they leave Brazil.
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A fire has erupted at the Olympic Village in Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro, prompting an evacuation of about 100 athletes, the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) said. “I have two brothers, I don’t know what they will look like now”.
The 24-year-old broke down in tears when he was asked to comment on what message he hoped to send through his Olympic participation. He admitted that it’s a little bit sad not able to compete under his country’s flag but he’s very proud to compete in the ROT.
You have to feel sorry for those Olympic athletes, who give their heart and soul into training to reach this pinnacle in sports, only to be going to countries that don’t give two cents about their people and staying in places that certainly none of the IOC members would ever stay at. I send hugs and kisses to my brothers.
I believe in many ways the Games have become antiquated, and the true meaning of bringing athletes from around the world in friendly competition has become lost.
The Australian Olympic Committee has demanded Rio 2016 organisers enforce a strict ban on smoking in the athletes’ village after saying a fire in the basement of their building was probably caused by a cigarette tossed into rubbish.
Yusra Mardini was a competitive swimmer in Syria until she left Damascus with her sister a year ago and settled in Berlin.
Misenga and Makiba, both from Congo, fled civil war in their home regions as children.
“We’re going to represent you guys in a really good way”, she said, speaking to other anonymous refugees. “I hope all killings and massacres will end”.
Fellow swimmer Rami Anis fled Syria five years to avoid being drafted into the army.
“It’s absolutely an honor for me to compete in Olympics”. “We represent people who suffer injustice”.
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“I hope there are no more refugees in 2020, and we can compete under our flag”, the Belgium-based Anis said.
