The team of refugees (ROA) at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics wants to send a signal of hope around the world, and its athletes said Saturday they hope to compete for their own countries again at the 2020 Games in Tokyo.
"I hope there are no more refugees in 2020, and we can compete under our flag," swimmer Rami Anis of Syria told a news conference. "We represent people who suffer injustice. I hope all killings and massacres will end."
Anis, who lives and trains in Belgium, is among 10 athletes picked by the International Olympic Committee via their sporting merits for the refugees team. They compete under the Olympic flag at the Games, which open Friday.
"Sport has transformed my life," said judo athlete Popole Misenga, originally from Congo but in Brazil since staying there after the 2013 world championships in Rio.
The team has former Kenyan distance running star Tegla Loroupe as chef de mission, and the 43-year-old said the presence of the 10 athletes is an important signal.
"The sport gives them wisdom and courage, the wisdom to fight and not to lose hope," she said.
