Refugee Athletes Learn Olympic Fate -- On the Scene

(ATR) Ten athletes from around the world had their Olympic dreams realized today.

The IOC announced the final list of refugee athletes that will compete in Rio de Janeiro under the IOC flag for the 2016 Olympics. The list is made up of five athletes from South Sudan, two from Syria, two from the Democratic Republic of Congo, and one from Ethiopia.

All ten athletes will receive the same treatment as every other Olympian during the Games. They will stay in the Olympic Village, receive team uniforms from the IOC, and be subjected to the standard Olympic doping control measures. If any athlete were to win an Olympic gold medal, the Olympic anthem will be played during the medal ceremony, and the refugees will march under the Olympic flag during the Rio 2016 Opening Ceremony.

"Despite the unimaginable tragedies these athletes have faced, [it shows] anyone can contribute to society through their talent, skills and strength of the human spirit," Thomas Bach, IOC President, said when announcing the team. "[These athletes] can send a symbol of hope to all refugees in the world."

The two athletes from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Popole Misenga and Yolande Bukasa Mabika, have been living in Brazil since 2013, when they defected during the Judo World Championships taking place in Rio de Janeiro that year. After their defection, Misenga and Mabika were found by the non-governmental organization Cáritas, who helps refugees in Brazil.

It was through Cáritas that the two judokas became enrolled in the Reação Institute, a sport organization run by Olympic bronze medalist Flávio Cantothat promotes judo in Rio.

After training with the institute, Misenga and Mabika became the first refugees to apply to qualify for the Olympics through the newly created refugee team. The pair also received assistance from Olympic Solidarity to continue their training in Brazil. When announced they would be part of the 2016 Olympic team, both judokas became very emotional and grateful for the opportunity to compete on the world stage in their adopted country.

"It is the opportunity of my life; and my family will know that I am in Brazil," Misenga said to reporters after the announcement. "I have been separated from them for a long time, and I forgot the face of my brother. This is the chance to appear on television so my family can know that I am living in Brazil. My heart is beating, and is seeking a medal."

For Mabika, it may be an opportunity for her family to see her for the first time in three years, but her focus remains on bringing home an Olympic medal.

"If the medal comes, it is for Brazil, for the Brazil Olympic Committee," Mabika said to reporters. "I live here, I am a refugee, and I have document in this country. It is my country, since I feel it is my home. Those who train with me are my brothers and sisters."

Canto told Around the Rings that he was overjoyed with the announcement of Misenga and Mabika to the refugee Olympic team, but it was only one part of his joy from working with both judokas. He said that seeing their integration into Brazilian life and ability to get an education without the worry they faced back home makes him proud that the Reação Institute could offer what it has to them. He remains doubtful that Misenga and Mabika could make the podium due to the depth of skill in each judoka’s weight class, but given the barriers they’ve overcome to reach this point he could not rule out an upset.

"Every time we have an opportunity like this to change people’s lives through sports we have to go deep and do our best," Canto said to ATR. "They both have a very high skill level, but they have such an incredible story with so much determination and I think with them anything is possible.

Click here to view interviews with each of the refugee athletes on Around the Rings' YouTube page.

Written by Aaron Bauer in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

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