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.
Glittering ceremony marks close of Rio2016 as IOC and UNHCR look to bolster team's legacy.
Congolese judoka wins hearts among fellow refugees and Brazilians with tough story of triumph over adversity.
Rose Lokonyen, 23, leads a squad of 10 athletes behind the flag of the International Olympic Committee.
They fled violence and persecution but still excelled in their sports. Here's how they got ready to make history.
Honorary IOC President say refugees have right to be treated as normal citizens
Since the Refugee Olympic Team arrived in Brazil, leading celebrities and fellow athletes have rallied to their side.
Five middle-distance runners from South Sudan, until recently living in Kenya's Kakuma refugee camp, to take part in first-ever Refugee Olympic Team.
For the first time, a team of refugee athletes will compete under the Olympic flag.
The war in Syria put Ibrahim's athletic career on hold. Now in Greece, he's about to represent refugees in the Olympic torch relay.
The life of Somali sprinter Samia Yusuf Omar came to a tragic end on the perilous Mediterranean sea crossing from Libya to Europe.
Yusra has dreamt of the Olympics for years. Now a refugee in Germany, she hopes to qualify to compete at the Games in Brazil.
