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The first refugee team to ever compete at the Olympic Games has been revealed to the public, with a total of 10 athletes given the opportunity to go for gold in Rio, according to CNN. The International Olympic Committee made the announcement Friday, while also confirming that 15 officials will accompany the team on the journey.
Selected from 43 candidates, the team is made up of six men and four women from all over the world. This team consists of 10 athletes who fled their native countries due to war and persecution. There are two Syrian swimmers, two judokas from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and six runners from Ethiopia and South Sudan on the team, according to the New York Times.
The United Nations’ refugee agency said it was “very inspired” by the creation of this team, noting that the global number of refugees, asylum seekers and displaced peoples had continually risen since the 59.5 million recorded at the end of 2014.
“Having had their sporting careers interrupted, these high-level refugee athletes will finally have the chance to pursue their dreams,” UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi said in a statement to CNN. “Their participation in the Olympics is a tribute to the courage and perseverance of all refugees in overcoming adversity and building a better future for themselves and their families.”
The team is represented as followed: Yusra Mardini, Syria, 200m butterfly swimmer/ Rami Anis, Syria, 100m butterfly swimmer/ Yolande Mabika, Democratic Republic of the Congo, middleweight judoka/ Popole Misenga, Democratic Republic of the Congo, middleweight judoka/ James Nyang Chiengjiek, South Sudan, 800m runner/ Anjelina Nadai Lohalith, South Sudan, 1,500m runner/ Yiech Pur Biel, South Sudan, 800m runner/ Paulo Amotun Lokoro, South Sudan, 1,500m runner/ Rose Nathike Lokonyen, South Sudan, 800m runner/ Yonas Kinde, Ethiopia, marathoner.