IOC Names 10 Athletes to Refugee Team for Rio Olympics

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) named today 10 refugee athletes who will compete as a team at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro this summer, with hopes of shining a light on the harrowing refugee crisis.

Syrian swimmer Yusra Mardini was among those named to the IOC's Refugee Olympic Team, a year after she swam for her life across the Aegean Sea to escape war at home.

“These refugees have no home, no team, no flag, no national anthem,” IOC President Thomas Bach said today while revealing the makeup of the team. “We will offer them a home in the Olympic Village together with all the athletes of the word. The Olympic anthem will be played in their honor and the Olympic flag will lead them into the Olympic Stadium.

“This will be a symbol of hope for all the refugees in our world, and will make the world better aware of the magnitude of this crisis.”

Here is the final list of athletes who were named to the Refugee Olympic Team – the first of its kind -- by the IOC’s executive board:

• Rami Anis (M): Country of origin – Syria; host NOC – 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

The list was narrowed from a total of 43 refugees who were initially identified as candidates for the new team. Nomination criteria included sporting level, official refugee status verified by the United Nations and personal situation and background, the IOC said in a news releasetoday.

The refugee athletes will be given uniforms and assigned coaches and team officials. The IOC said it will continue to support the refugee athletes even after the games this summer in Brazil.

The plan for the Refugee Olympic Team was first announced by the IOC at the United Nations in October, as an unprecedented influx of migrants and refugees fled war and poverty in the Middle East, Africa, South Asia and other regions.