1. Home
  2. Slideshows
  3. Refugee Olympians to shine in the Rio Games, casting new light on the world refugee crisis

Refugee Olympians to shine in the Rio Games, casting new light on the world refugee crisis

Published July 27th, 2016 - 08:03 GMT

The Rio 2016 Summer Olympic Games kick off on August 5, its fanfare muddled by unfinished infrastructure, polluted water, violent crime, Russian doping, and the terrifying Zika virus. But ten special athletes are bringing a new, positive meaning to the event. Each is a bona fide refugee, competing for the first time as the nationless Refugee Olympic Team (ROT).

Ten people were picked from a pool of 43 promising candidates based on sporting level, official United Nations refugee status, and personal stories. The nationless team will march under the Olympic flag, and accept medals to the tune of the Olympic anthem. Scan the roster of team ROT for a sober reminder that refugees harken from many countries, beyond the war-ravaged nations of the Middle East. 

IOC President Thomas Bach said, “These refugees have no home, no team, no flag, no national anthem. It is a signal to the international community that refugees are our fellow human beings and are an enrichment to society." Think world leaders hear that message?

To learn more about the refugee athletes, check out their stories on the Official Olympic Channel on YouTube. and let the games begin!

View as a slider
View as a list
Anjelina Nada Lohalith refugee Olympian

Anjelina Nada Lohalith fled South Sudan when she was six, one of 1,000s of kids displaced and/or orphaned by civil war, her parents remain trapped in South Sudan. Now 21, living in Kenya’s Kakuma refugee camp, the elite runner wants to show the world that refugees are not just 'the other people’. She will compete in athletics, 1500m.

Rose Nathike Lokonyen refugee Olympian

Rose Nathike Lokonyen and her four siblings spent 13 years in the Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya having fled from rebel soldiers in her home nation of South Sudan. The 23-year old - who just began running in shoes last year! - hopes to inspire her family and refugees across the world. She will compete in athletics, 800m.

Paulo Amotun Lokoro refugee Olympian

24-year-old Paulo Amotun Lokoro escaped South Sudan in 2004, moving with his family to neighboring Kenya. “We ran to the bush and stayed in the bush. There was no food, we just ate fruit,” Lokoro recalls, ultimately arriving at the Kakuma refugee camp, one of the world’s largest.He will compete in athletics, 1500m.

Yolande Bukasa Mabika refugee Olympian

Yolande Bukasa Mabika is a judoka from the Democratic Republic of the Congo who sought asylum in Brazil in 2013. Separated from her family at a young age, she says the sport gave her “a strong heart.” The 28-year-old will compete in judo, 70kg category.

Yusra Mardini refugee Olympian

Last August, Yusra Mardini left Syria on a flimsy boat. When the engine died, she and her sister – both swimmers – swam alongside it, propelling the crammed boat towards Lesvos with their kicks for hours. The 18-year-old lives in Germany, and will compete in swimming. She says, “I want refugees to be proud of me. I want to encourage them."

Popole Misenga refugee Olympian

24-year-old Popole Misenga is from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where decades of war killed 1,000s, including his mother. When he was nine years old, he fled his hometown, hiding in a forest for eight days until he was rescued. Taken to a center for displaced children, he found judo. Now living in Brazil, he will compete in judo, 90 kg.

Rami Anis refugee Olympian

In 2011, Syrian swimmer Rami Anis fled to Turkey by dinghy, then to Greece and to Belgium. Inspired by an uncle who swam competitively for Syria, the 25-year-old athlete says, “Swimming is my life. The swimming pool is my home.” Now living in Belgium, he will compete in swimming, 100m butterfly.

Yiech Pur Biel refugee athlete

South Sudanese runner Yiech Pur Biel is one of five “Lost Boys” on Team ROC. He fled his hometown in 2005 for the Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya - one of the world's largest - where he lived for 10 years, along with thousands of other children uprooted by the 2nd Sudanese War. The 21-year-old will compete in athletics, 800m.

James Nyang Chiengjiek refugee athlete

In 2002, 13-year-old James Nyang Chiengjiek fled South Sudan for Kenya to avoid forced service as a child soldier, his father was killed two years earlier in the civil war. Now 28, he says, “If God gives you a talent, you have to use it.” He wants to use his platform to help other refugees, and will compete in athletics, 400m.

Yonas Kinde refugee athlete

Distance runner Yonas Kinde fled Ethiopia in 2012. The 36-year-old now lives in Luxembourg where he drives a taxi. He sees his chance to run with the world’s best as a “big message that refugees, young athletes, can reach their best.” He will compete in athletics, marathon.

Anjelina Nada Lohalith refugee Olympian
Rose Nathike Lokonyen refugee Olympian
Paulo Amotun Lokoro refugee Olympian
Yolande Bukasa Mabika refugee Olympian
Yusra Mardini refugee Olympian
Popole Misenga refugee Olympian
Rami Anis refugee Olympian
Yiech Pur Biel refugee athlete
James Nyang Chiengjiek refugee athlete
Yonas Kinde refugee athlete
Anjelina Nada Lohalith refugee Olympian
Anjelina Nada Lohalith fled South Sudan when she was six, one of 1,000s of kids displaced and/or orphaned by civil war, her parents remain trapped in South Sudan. Now 21, living in Kenya’s Kakuma refugee camp, the elite runner wants to show the world that refugees are not just 'the other people’. She will compete in athletics, 1500m.
Rose Nathike Lokonyen refugee Olympian
Rose Nathike Lokonyen and her four siblings spent 13 years in the Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya having fled from rebel soldiers in her home nation of South Sudan. The 23-year old - who just began running in shoes last year! - hopes to inspire her family and refugees across the world. She will compete in athletics, 800m.
Paulo Amotun Lokoro refugee Olympian
24-year-old Paulo Amotun Lokoro escaped South Sudan in 2004, moving with his family to neighboring Kenya. “We ran to the bush and stayed in the bush. There was no food, we just ate fruit,” Lokoro recalls, ultimately arriving at the Kakuma refugee camp, one of the world’s largest.He will compete in athletics, 1500m.
Yolande Bukasa Mabika refugee Olympian
Yolande Bukasa Mabika is a judoka from the Democratic Republic of the Congo who sought asylum in Brazil in 2013. Separated from her family at a young age, she says the sport gave her “a strong heart.” The 28-year-old will compete in judo, 70kg category.
Yusra Mardini refugee Olympian
Last August, Yusra Mardini left Syria on a flimsy boat. When the engine died, she and her sister – both swimmers – swam alongside it, propelling the crammed boat towards Lesvos with their kicks for hours. The 18-year-old lives in Germany, and will compete in swimming. She says, “I want refugees to be proud of me. I want to encourage them."
Popole Misenga refugee Olympian
24-year-old Popole Misenga is from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where decades of war killed 1,000s, including his mother. When he was nine years old, he fled his hometown, hiding in a forest for eight days until he was rescued. Taken to a center for displaced children, he found judo. Now living in Brazil, he will compete in judo, 90 kg.
Rami Anis refugee Olympian
In 2011, Syrian swimmer Rami Anis fled to Turkey by dinghy, then to Greece and to Belgium. Inspired by an uncle who swam competitively for Syria, the 25-year-old athlete says, “Swimming is my life. The swimming pool is my home.” Now living in Belgium, he will compete in swimming, 100m butterfly.
Yiech Pur Biel refugee athlete
South Sudanese runner Yiech Pur Biel is one of five “Lost Boys” on Team ROC. He fled his hometown in 2005 for the Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya - one of the world's largest - where he lived for 10 years, along with thousands of other children uprooted by the 2nd Sudanese War. The 21-year-old will compete in athletics, 800m.
James Nyang Chiengjiek refugee athlete
In 2002, 13-year-old James Nyang Chiengjiek fled South Sudan for Kenya to avoid forced service as a child soldier, his father was killed two years earlier in the civil war. Now 28, he says, “If God gives you a talent, you have to use it.” He wants to use his platform to help other refugees, and will compete in athletics, 400m.
Yonas Kinde refugee athlete
Distance runner Yonas Kinde fled Ethiopia in 2012. The 36-year-old now lives in Luxembourg where he drives a taxi. He sees his chance to run with the world’s best as a “big message that refugees, young athletes, can reach their best.” He will compete in athletics, marathon.

You may also like

Subscribe

Sign up to our newsletter for exclusive updates and enhanced content
Subscribe Now
Loading content ...