It’s that time again, the time for countries all around the world to come together and unite in competition in the Rio Olympics. Every time that the olympics roll around it always brings a special atmosphere and unforgettable memories. Athletes of all ages and sizes come to one event and represent their country in hopes of bringing home gold medals. Athletes bring their different skills and disciplines to compete rigorously in many events and hope to be their nation's pride.
There is something very special about these olympics in particular, it gives a certain light and hope to a group of people who are full of dark and trying times. The opening ceremony had a very special team that marched right before the hosting Brazilian team, it was the ROT (Refugee Olympic Team). This team is comprised of refugees from all over the world, from South Sudan to Syria. These athletes have no home and no team to play for so they carried the Olympic flag and played under the olympic team. This is the first time that an olympic event has a refugee team and it is certainly something that is really beautiful. 10 athletes in total make up the team. They are the following:
- Rami Anis (M): Country of origin – Syria; host NOC (National Olympic Committee)– Belgium; sport – swimming
- Yiech Pur Biel (M): Country of origin – South Sudan; host NOC – Kenya; sport – athletics, 800m
- James Nyang Chiengjiek (M): Country of origin – South Sudan; host NOC – Kenya; sport – athletics, 400m
- Yonas Kinde (M): Country of origin – Ethiopia; host NOC – Luxembourg; sport – athletics, marathon
- Anjelina Nada Lohalith (F): Country of origin – South Sudan; host NOC – Kenya; sport – athletics, 1500m
- Rose Nathike Lokonyen (F): Country of origin – South Sudan; host NOC – Kenya; sport – athletics, 800m
- Paulo Amotun Lokoro (M): Country of origin – South Sudan; host NOC – Kenya; sport – athletics, 1500m
- Yolande Bukasa Mabika (F): Country of origin – Democratic Republic of the Congo; host NOC – Brazil; sport – judo, -70kg
- Yusra Mardini (F): Country of origin – Syria; host NOC – Germany; sport – swimming
- Popole Misenga (M): Country of origin – Democratic Republic of the Congo; host NOC – Brazil; sport – judo, -90kg
- (This list came from: https://www.olympic.org/news/refugee-olympic-team-...)
Every athlete in the olympics has an incredible story; their hard work and commitment to be able to make it this far are unparalleled. Yet, the refugee team has stories that not only show hard work and commitment, but also show perseverance through unconceivable obstacles. When the world threw everything it had at them, they stood up and fought back.
These athletes are now competing in one of the biggest stages there is. An example of how incredible these athletes are is the story of Yusra Mardini. Yusra was a professional swimmer who competed for Syria and lived in Damascus which had serious war problems. There were many times in which Yusura could not train because the the buildings that held the pools that she would go to would be half destroyed due to bombings in the area. Damascus got to a point where it was too dangerous, so she left Syria with her sister looking for a better place to live and to continue their lives and careers.
The trip was not easy, there even came a moment where they were fighting for their lives. Yusura was in a motor boat with her sister and 18 others when suddenly the motor of the boat, which was made to carry six, began to fail. No one knew how to swim in the boat except for Yusura, her sister, and two others. The four of them jumped in the water and began to swim in open waters, carrying the boat forward and preventing it from capsizing.
This is how Yusura recalls the experience,
“I had one hand with the rope attached to the boat as I moved my two legs and one arm. It was three and half hours in cold water. Your body is almost like … done. I don’t know if I can describe that.”
They went on to do this for three hours until they finally reached land in Lesbos. Once safe in Lesbos she went on and made her way through Greece and other countries until finally reaching their destination of Germany.
Even going through such a traumatizing experience, she keeps her head high and recalls the whole thing as a “positive memory” for her. Her story is one that gives people hope and shows that no matter what the circumstance, dreams can be achieved.
Yusura competed in her first race and won her heat in the 100m Women’s Butterfly, she is going to compete again on Wednesday for 100m Women’s freestyle event.
The Olympic refugee team is incredible and it’s amazing that we get to see something like this for the first time in our lifetime. These olympics are definitely going down in history and is sure to inspire many across the globe to go out and chase their dreams, even if everything around them is telling them that they cannot.
