The first-ever refugee team at the Olympic Games organized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Sunday said they're ready for the upcoming world's top sports gathering in Rio.
The 10-member team consists of players from the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, Ethiopia and Syria. They will take part in judo, track field, swimming events among others.
Anjelina Nada Lohalith, a South Sudanese runner who will compete in the 1,500-meter run, said she’s feeling great to be there as it’s a great opportunity for them, which she had never expected.
She said she was extremely excited when she was informed to be selected by the IOC.
"I was so happy by that time. Because I know now at least the refugees, they're no longer neglected, at least they're now realized that these people can still do the sport like the other people and they are given that opportunity," she said.
Given the international refugee crisis sparked by ongoing wars in the Middle East and Africa, and the numerous athletes displaced by the fighting, the IOC decided to create a delegation to represent them: Team Refugee Olympic Athletes (ROA).
And the ten athletes were chosen by the IOC out of 43 candidates.
The ROA will compete under the IOC flag, but in all other aspects will be treated as any other team and is slated to march in the opening ceremony, before host team Brazil.
"The final preparation is really just getting them settled into the Olympic village. It's all new for them and first time coming to the Olympic Games. It's really nice to be able to show them around the village, how it all works. And also introducing them to different athletes and exploring that side of it. But really now their final preparations are going to be in making sure that physically they're in their best shape. We have our physio and doctor here as well looking after the team to make sure that they're going to be in their best shape possible for the competition day," said Sophie Jane Edington, ROA spokesperson.
At the press briefing, some refugee athletes said the Rio Olympics is a starting point in their lives. And they hope to return to the places they're now living to prepare for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Some wish the ROA will have become things of the past by that time.
An official of the UN Refugee Agency said the first ROA is painted as an effort made by the international community to solve the refugee issue.
"[Those competitions with the participation of refugee athletes] can show us their capabilities to get over difficulties and make their ways. They're not different from you or me. So they can make achievements and contribute to the whole society if they're given opportunities," said Luiz Fernando Godinho Santos, spokesman of the UN Refugee Agency to Brazil.
The competitions in which the ROA will turn up are expected to run from Saturday till August 20. More on: [ Ссылка ]
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