This year’s Olympics in Rio de Janiero has already been a memorable one. Besides all the controversy with Zika and Russian doping, we have also seen stellar performances from athletes like Michael Phelps and Katie Ledecky. These crazy Olympics games have been a great way for people to display their patriotism and pride towards their country. Participating or winning in the Olympics can be the ultimate honor for some countries that do not have a very good opportunity to express themselves on the geopolitical stage.
However, many times during the Olympics, there are conflicts all over the world, and numerous athletes have either been displaced, had their homes destroyed or have no country to represent. This Olympics, the first ever Refugee team was introduced, featuring athletes from South Sudan, Ethiopia, Democratic Republic of Congo and Syria. The ROT or Refugee Olympic Team has athletes competing in track and field, swimming and judo.
Amazingly, these competitors were able to train amidst their countries’ respective wars, famines and poverty. All of these athletes have faced difficult challenges getting to the Olympics, and the fact they can now compete is groundbreaking. One refugee athlete, Yusra Mardini, fled from Syria in a boat during the civil war. Although the boat was only built for six, more than 18 people were able to escape on it. During the trip, the boat began to take on water, and Yusra, along with a few others pushed the boat to the nearest island by swimming for over thee hours.
Many of the South Sudanese competitors had similar stories of fleeing their home country to go to Kenya. There they ran in the refugee camp, but often times did not have the proper shoes or any footwear at all. Amazingly, they managed to make it out and compete at the global level despite the disadvantages they faced.
Besides all of their individual accomplishments, as a team they have brought to light something that is much bigger than all of us: the global refugee crisis. With so many countries failing as states, torn apart by war or not being able to take care of their people, the world has become flooded with people who flee their home country in pursuit of safety. Many countries like Kenya, USA, UK and France have tried help the refugee crisis by sending funds and allowing asylum. However, there are still millions of people who are displaced and do not have proper access to basic necessities in life.
The historic nature of these Olympics is something that should never be forgotten. By including these refugees in this year’s Olympics, we have built on a policy of inclusion and opportunity for all. In the future, hopefully conflicts in these countries will resolve, but if the refugee team stays, who knows what they can accomplish.
