Since the start of the Modern Olympic Games in 1896, athletes from over 200 countries have competed for the ultimate achievement in sport. And in 2016, for the first time ever, a team of displaced athletes participated in the Games to seek out the ultimate in sporting glory, too.
This briefing brings together some of the athletes from this unique group to share their stories of effort, sacrifice, and ultimate triumph at the highest levels of athletic excellence. The objective of this session is to highlight their resilience, celebrate their achievements, and to learn more about the paths they took to reach the absolute peak of their fields.
The session will include brief remarks from competitors in athletics, judo, and swimming. Participants will have a chance to reflect on the healing power of sport, and also discuss how the profile given to this refugee team can best be leveraged into ongoing attention onto the plight of refugees over the world today.
Speaker
Ms Itai Madamombe, Head of Outreach and Partnerships, United Nations
Mr Rami Anis, Member, Refugee Olympic Team
Mr Popole Misenga, Member - Judo, Refugee Olympic Team
Mr Geraldo Bernardes, Member - Judo Coach, Refugee Olympic Team
Mr Yonas Kinde, Member - Marathon, Refugee Olympic Team
