The Refugee Olympic Team has created a Facebook page before the Olympic Games this summer. A link to the page can be found here
The page’s “about” section briefly explains the group, “Ten refugee athletes will act as a symbol of hope for refugees worldwide and bring global attention to the magnitude of the refugee crisis when they take part in the Olympic Games Rio 2016 this summer”.
The team has 10 athletes, among those 2 Syrian refugees. There are two swimmers on the team, both from Syria. Rami Anis and Yusra Mardini will be the team’s representatives in the pool at the Games, while many of the other athletes excel on the track.
Every member of the team will be competing for the Refugee Olympic Team and will represent the Olympic flag instead of a specific country. At the Opening Ceremony, the team will march with the Olympic flag immediately before Brazil marches.
Athletes on the refugee team will be supported by a complete staff at the games, including coaches and technical officials, to ensure their ability to compete at the highest level. Additionally, the IOC is providing $2 million in funding for athletic programs to train athletes who will be competing for the Refugee Olympic Team.
Here are the videos of the competing swimmers that the Refugee Olympic Team has shared on Facebook:
The following is the full roster for the team:
- 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
