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The Refugee Olympic team, a symbol of hope
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![Refugee Olympic Team swimmer Anis fulfils his dream]()
Refugee Olympic Team swimmer Anis fulfils his dream
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Refugee Olympic Team flagbearer announced
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Refugee Olympic Athletes Deliver Message of Hope for Displaced People
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![Syrian refugee Mardini (ROT) swims for joy after swimming for her life]()
Syrian refugee Mardini swims for joy after swimming for her life
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IOC President briefs Refugee Olympic Team officials ahead of Rio 2016
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Refugee Olympic Team to shine spotlight on worldwide refugee crisis
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![Syrian swimmer Ibrahim carried torch for the refugees of the world]()
Syrian swimmer Ibrahim carried torch for the refugees of the world
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![The inspirational Olympic journey of refugee swimmer Yusra Mardini]()
The inspirational Olympic journey of refugee swimmer Yusra Mardini
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Team of Refugee Olympic Athletes (ROA) created by the IOC
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IOC Refugee Olympic Team 2016: a team powered by solidarity
As part of its commitment to aiding potential elite athletes affected by the worldwide refugee crisis, the IOC asked National Olympic Committees (NOCs) around the world to identify any refugee athletes with the potential to qualify for the Olympic Games Rio 2016. Such candidates could then receive funding from Olympic Solidarity to assist with their preparations and qualification efforts.
Forty-three promising candidates were initially identified. Ten refugee athletes were ultimately selected to make up the first-ever IOC Refugee Olympic Team. Serving as a symbol of hope for refugees worldwide and bringing global attention to the refugee crisis, the athletes took part in the Olympic Games Rio 2016, marching and competing under the Olympic flag.
The Refugee Olympic athletes were some of the stars of these Olympic Games. They were stars in a way that they demonstrated the best of human beings; they demonstrated determination; they demonstrated what you can achieve if you want to. They also demonstrated that they are not simply refugees but that they are human beings; they are athletes who are competing with the athletes of the other 206 National Olympic Committees on an equal playing field.Thomas Bach IOC President
Selection of the 10 athletes was based on consultation with their host NOCs, International Sports Federations, UNHCR and the NOCs of their countries of origin. Nomination criteria included sporting level, official refugee status verified by the United Nations, and personal situation and background.
Olympian and former marathon world record-holder Tegla Loroupe (Kenya) was the team’s Chef de Mission, while Isabela Mazão (Brazil), who was proposed by UNHCR, acted as the Deputy Chef de Mission.
Beyond the Olympic Games, the IOC, with the support of UNHCR, continues to assist these athletes day by day through its Olympic Scholarship for Refugee Athletes programme, to help them to build their future.
Discover the members of the ioc refugee olympic team rio 2016:
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Anjelina Nadai Lohalith
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James Chiengjiek Nyang
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Paulo Amotun Lokoro
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Popole Misenga
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Rami Anis
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Rose Lokonyen Nathike
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Yiech Pur Biel
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Yolande Bukasa Mabika
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Yonas Kinde
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Yusra Mardini
Gallery
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Refugee Olympic Team Rio 2016Paulo Amuton running in 1500m event at Olympic Games Rio 2016IOC/BURNETT Davidhttp://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://olympics.com/photos/refugee-olympic-team-rio-2016http://twitter.com/share?url=https://olympics.com#&text=Refugee Olympic Team Rio 2016&via=olympics -
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Refugee Olympic Team Rio 2016Popole Misenga in front of his crown for his second fight at Olympic Games Rio 2016IOC/BURNETT Davidhttp://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://olympics.com/photos/refugee-olympic-team-rio-2016-1http://twitter.com/share?url=https://olympics.com#&text=Refugee Olympic Team Rio 2016&via=olympics -
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Refugee Olympic Team Rio 2016Rami Anis during his 100m butterfly race at at Olympic Games Rio 2016IOC/BURNETT Davidhttp://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://olympics.com/photos/refugee-olympic-team-rio-2016-2http://twitter.com/share?url=https://olympics.com#&text=Refugee Olympic Team Rio 2016&via=olympics -
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Refugee Olympic Team Rio 2016Rose Lokonyen during the 800m event at at Olympic Games Rio 2016IOC/BURNETT Davidhttp://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://olympics.com/photos/refugee-olympic-team-rio-2016-3http://twitter.com/share?url=https://olympics.com#&text=Refugee Olympic Team Rio 2016&via=olympics -
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Refugee Olympic Team Rio 2016Yusra Mardini competing at Olympic Games Rio 2016 in the 100m freestyle eventIOC/BURNETT Davidhttp://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://olympics.com/photos/refugee-olympic-team-rio-2016-4http://twitter.com/share?url=https://olympics.com#&text=Refugee Olympic Team Rio 2016&via=olympics
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Olympic Refuge Foundation
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Working in cooperation with the United Nations, international organisation, non-governmental organisations and other foundations, the Olympic Refuge Foundation supports the protection and empowerment of vulnerable displaced people through sport, and through the creation of safe spaces.