Ten refugees, including Yusra, will participate in the Rio Olympic Games under the Olympic flag as the International Olympic Committee formed the unique team for athletes that have fled conflict-riven countries and regions, reports Xinhua.
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Members of the Refugee Olympic Team pose for a photo in front of the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday, July 30, 2016.
Rio de Janeiro (dpa) – Popole Misenga could not hide his tears, and Yolande Bukasa Makiba next to him had to wipe her eyes a few times, too, when Misenga talked about how long he had not seen his brothers. He was then taken on as part of the IOC’s Refugee Team and, speaking confident Portuguese yesterday, said he meant to grasp the opportunity. Misenga spent eight days in a forest as a 9-year-old and was then taken to a centre for displaced children, where he learnt judo.
“We’re going to represent you guys in a really good way”, she said, speaking to other anonymous refugees. “I didn’t have anything to eat, I didn’t have papers, I spoke only French and I went to the street to get food”, he said.
Researchers found that numerous beaches in Rio de Janeiro have been long contaminated with raw sewage, household garbage, and even dead bodies, creating hazardous swimming conditions for the 500,000 people expected to descend on the city in August.
“They had the protocol in place but that doesn’t actually work when I’m asleep and the phone’s on silent”, he told reporters. We are sad because of wars in our countries but that doesn’t kill our spirits.
Mardini, who has now settled in Germany with her family as a refugee, says she will proudly represent Syria, the Olympic movement and her recently adopted homeland when she competes in Brazil.
Coach Geraldo Bernades said the question of whether any of the refugee team can win a medal is immaterial.
Syrian swimmer Rami Anis will compete in the men’s 100m freestyle and butterfly.
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“I hope all refugee athletes continue their training as the Olympic committee and the whole global society provide them the supports they need”. “As people transfer their lives through sports, we’ll support them to receive better training”. He is now hoping his presence at the Olympics will make his family proud and may even lead to a reunion. I’m striving so I can manage to one day buy a ticket for you to come to Brazil and live with me here.
