The names of the Team Refugee Olympic Athletes (ROA) taking part of in the Olympics in Rio have been announced. And eight of the 10 are from Africa.
Refugees from South Sudan, Syria, Ethiopia and Democratic Republic of Congo have been confirmed to participate: seven men and three women will form the cohort. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) have also released videos profiling the athletes:
The athletes will run under the Olympic flag and will enter the stadium just before the last team, Brazil. The International Olympic Committee president, Thomas Bach hopes the team will be ‘a symbol of hope for all refugees in the world.’
Here is the list of athletes participating:
Men:
Swimming: Rami Anis (M) from Syria
Swimming: Yusra Mardini (F) from Syria
Athletics, 1500m: Paulo Amotun Lokoro (M) from South Sudan
Athletics, 800m: James Nyang Chiengjiek (M) from South Sudan
Athletics, Marathon: Yonas Kinde (M) from Ethiopia
Judo: Popole Misenga (M) from DRC Congo
Women:
Athletics, 1500m: Anjelina Nada Lohalith (F) from South Sudan
Athletics, 800m: Rose Nathike Lokonyen (F) from South Sudan
Judo: Yolande Bukasa Mabika (F) from DRC Congo