This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost Australia, which closed in 2021.

Meet The 2016 Olympics Refugee Team

These are some of the most inspiring athletes coming to Rio.
Refugee judoka Yolande Mabika from the Democratic Republic of Congo, at the Universidad Estascio de Sa, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. She hopes to be selected as of the team of Refugee Olympic Athletes (ROA) created for the first time by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as part of the upcoming Olympics Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. ; Fighting in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo separated Yolande Mabika from her parents when she was a young child. She remembers little else but running alone and being picked up by a helicopter that took her to the capital, Kinshasa. There, living in a centre for displaced children, she discovered judo.Yolande went on to become a professional athlete, competing in major tournaments. �Judo never gave me money, but it gave me a strong heart,� she says. �I got separated from my family and used to cry a lot. I started with judo to have a better life.�In 2013, when she came to Rio to compete at the World Judo Championship, her coach confiscated her passport and limited her access to food � as he did at every competition abroad. Fed up with years of abuse, including being caged after losing tournaments, Yolande fled the hotel and wandered the streets searching for help.Now, as refugee in Brazil, she has won a spot on the Refugee Olympic Athlete team and received training from Flavio Canto, a Brazilian Olympic bronze medallist. �I will be part of this team and I will win a medal. I am a competitive athlete, and this is an opportunity that can change my life,� she says. �I hope my story will be an example for everybody, and perhaps my family will see me and we will reunite.�
UNHCR
Refugee judoka Yolande Mabika from the Democratic Republic of Congo, at the Universidad Estascio de Sa, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. She hopes to be selected as of the team of Refugee Olympic Athletes (ROA) created for the first time by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as part of the upcoming Olympics Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. ; Fighting in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo separated Yolande Mabika from her parents when she was a young child. She remembers little else but running alone and being picked up by a helicopter that took her to the capital, Kinshasa. There, living in a centre for displaced children, she discovered judo.Yolande went on to become a professional athlete, competing in major tournaments. �Judo never gave me money, but it gave me a strong heart,� she says. �I got separated from my family and used to cry a lot. I started with judo to have a better life.�In 2013, when she came to Rio to compete at the World Judo Championship, her coach confiscated her passport and limited her access to food � as he did at every competition abroad. Fed up with years of abuse, including being caged after losing tournaments, Yolande fled the hotel and wandered the streets searching for help.Now, as refugee in Brazil, she has won a spot on the Refugee Olympic Athlete team and received training from Flavio Canto, a Brazilian Olympic bronze medallist. �I will be part of this team and I will win a medal. I am a competitive athlete, and this is an opportunity that can change my life,� she says. �I hope my story will be an example for everybody, and perhaps my family will see me and we will reunite.�

The International Olympic Committee on Friday revealed the names and profiles of the refugees that will be competing in the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The group includes two Syrian swimmers, two judokas from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and six runners from Ethiopia and South Sudan. The athletes have relocated to countries including Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, Kenya ― and even Brazil.

“Their participation in the Olympics is a tribute to the courage and perseverance of all refugees in overcoming adversity and building a better future for themselves and their families,” the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi said in a statement. “UNHCR stands with them and with all refugees.”

The IOC first announced the formation of a refugee-only team belonging to no one country in March.

Here are the members of this year’s team:

Close
This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost Australia. Certain site features have been disabled. If you have questions or concerns, please check our FAQ or contact support@huffpost.com.