Jesse Reed
For the first time in Olympics history, a team made up solely of refugees will be participating in the 2016 Rio Olympics.
International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach, while announcing the unprecedented move, called it a “historic day.”
“These refugees have no home, no team, no flag, no national anthem,” Bach said, per olympic.org. “We will offer them a home in the Olympic Village together with all the athletes of the word. The Olympic anthem will be played in their honour and the Olympic flag will lead them into the Olympic Stadium. This will be a symbol of hope for all the refugees in our world, and will make the world better aware of the magnitude of this crisis. It is also a signal to the international community that refugees are our fellow human beings and are an enrichment to society. These refugee athletes will show the world that despite the unimaginable tragedies that they have faced, anyone can contribute to society through their talent, skills and strength of the human spirit.”
The refugee team consists of 10 athletes of different disciplines — six men and four women — hailing from the war-torn countries of Syria, South Sudan, Ethiopia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
- Rami Anis (M): Country of origin – Syria; host NOC – Belgium; sport – swimming
- Yiech Pur Biel (M): Country of origin – South Sudan; host NOC – Kenya; sport – athletics, 800m
- James Nyang Chiengjiek (M): Country of origin – South Sudan; host NOC – Kenya; sport – athletics, 400m
- Yonas Kinde (M): Country of origin – Ethiopia; host NOC – Luxembourg; sport – athletics, marathon
- Anjelina Nada Lohalith (F): Country of origin – South Sudan; host NOC – Kenya; sport – athletics, 1500m
- Rose Nathike Lokonyen (F): Country of origin – South Sudan; host NOC – Kenya; sport – athletics, 800m
- Paulo Amotun Lokoro (M): Country of origin – South Sudan; host NOC – Kenya; sport – athletics, 1500m
- Yolande Bukasa Mabika (F): Country of origin – Democratic Republic of the Congo; host NOC – Brazil; sport – judo, -70kg
- Yusra Mardini (F): Country of origin – Syria; host NOC – Germany; sport – swimming
- Popole Misenga (M): Country of origin – Democratic Republic of the Congo; host NOC – Brazil; sport – judo, -90kg
These 10 athletes were selected from a pool of 43.
They will be housed at the Olympic Village and will have all the same amenities and privileges as the other national teams, and the IOC will provide all the uniforms and teams of assistants needed to compete at the highest level.
During the opening ceremony and medal ceremonies, if any top finishes occur, the Olympic flag will be raised.
