Inspiring stories of a refugee olympic team
For the first time in the history of the Olympic Games in competitions the team consisting of refugees participates. Ten athletes compete in judo, swimming and track and field athletics. They became a hope symbol for refugees worldwide.
At stadium Maracanã where there took place opening of the Olympic Games, the national team of refugees left under standing ovations. Two athletes from team already have managed to attract attention during performances: Yusra Mardini who has shown excellent result in 100-meter heats on Saturday and Tuesday, and Rami Anis who has broken a personal record in a heat freestyle. Then stands gave a standing ovation to it.
An Olympic team of athletes refugees at opening of the Olympic Games in Rio.
Rami Anis, the swimmer from Syria
The 25-year-old native of Aleppo does swimming from 14 years. Because of a civil war Anis's family ran to Istanbul. There Rami has continued trainings. It had no opportunity to participate in the international competitions due to the lack of the Turkish nationality.
Anis has left Turkey and has crossed the sea by the boat, having successfully reached the Greek coast. Then I looked for shelters in Belgium. From Syria it has taken away with itself(himself) only a bag in which there were only two jackets, two t-shirts and two pairs of trousers.
I hoped to stay in Turkey few months, and then again to return to the native land.
Rami is in a forceful mood to get on the Olympic Games in 2020, but already as a part of the national team of Syria.
Yekh Pur Beale, the athlete from South Sudan
Yekh fled Sudan during civil war. The guy has managed to reach alone refugee camp in Kenya. There he has begun to play soccer and began to run.
In camp there are no conditions. There is no footwear even.
His first exit to the Olympic path will take place on August 12.
Even if I won't take gold or silver, I will be able to show that to be a refugee — doesn't mean to be helpless.
To Yolanda Bukasa Mabika, the judoist from the Democratic Republic of Congo
Mabika badly remembers details of escape from DRK. In the region there were armed conflicts, and the girl has been separated from a family. She has got to the center for children refugees in Kinshasa and there began to be engaged in judo.
I had to leave a family, because of it I cried much. I was engaged in judo to become stronger.
James Nyang Chiyendzhek, the athlete from South Sudan
Because of the wrong footwear we had many injuries.
James fled Sudan at the age of 13 years not to be stolen by fighters who then took away boys for military camps. He has appeared in Kenya, in refugee camp, in the same place has gone to school and has begun to run.
My dream — to show good result at the Olympic Games and just to help people. Many supported me, now and I want to support those who need it.
Yusra Mardini, the swimmer from Syria
The sportswoman has already won hearts of the audience after the Saturday performance. In Damascus which has wallowed in war it was considered as the perspective swimmer. In 18 years she together with the sister had to leave the native land, to pass through Lebanon and Turkey before they were granted asylum in Greece.
She and 20 more refugees sailed on a motor boat from coast of Turkey when the motor has broken. The vessel intended for six people and hasn't sustained loading. The boat easily could turn over. That it hasn't occurred, Yusra, her sister Sara and two more strong swimmers have jumped overboard and towed the boat with people to Lesbos. Now Yusra lives in Berlin.
It is terrible when you, being a swimmer, can die in water. In water which you know best of all.
Popole Misenga, the judoist from the Democratic Republic of Congo
In 9 years Popole ran because of military operations in Congo. Then he has lost mother and has ceased to keep in touch with family. 8 days later it have found in the wood and delivered to Kinshasa. For the first time on Popole's judo has got in the center for children refugees and since then considers that sport has changed his life.
Later he fled Kinshasa and has received the status of the refugee in Brazil. When the young man has arrived to the World Cup in 2013, the trainer left it and three more athletes in hotel without food and money for four days. Then they have run away and began to look for shelter. The Misenga became the champion of Africa twice.
I want to be part of refugee olympic team to show that refugees can make important things. I want to give them hope.
Popole will act on Wednesday in weight category to 90 kg.
Paulo Amotun Lokoro, the long-distance runner from South Sudan
Lokoro was a shepherd, his village was located on plains. He left Sudan because of the military conflict in the region.
We hid in thickets and remained long time there. The food wasn't, ate fruit.
In 24 years Paulo found the mother in Kakuma camp. Then I began to be engaged in run.
I know that I run for the sake of people. I was one of those refugees of camp, and I could reach something.