Rio 2016: Refugee Olympic Team
Rio 2016: Refugee Olympic Team
In August 2016, the first-ever Refugee Olympic Team competed at the 2016 Summer Games in Rio de Janeiro.
Their participation was a tribute to the courage and perseverance of all refugees.
Since the modern Olympics began in 1896, over 200 national teams have vied for glory at the Summer and Winter Games. In 2016, for the first time, a team of refugees competed as well.
At the 2016 Summer Games in Rio de Janiero, 10 refugee athletes from four countries competed together as the Refugee Olympic Team. Among them were two swimmers, two judokas, a marathoner and five medium-distance runners.
Their athletic prowess and resilience was a tribute to the courage and perseverance of all refugees – at a time when the number of people displaced by violence and persecution was at the highest level since the Second World War.
It is now four months since 10 refugees made history at the Olympic Games -- a life-changing experience for all involved.