Refugees Create Own Flag, Anthem for Rio

(ATR) The IOC has yet to confirm whether the 10 refugee athletes at Rio 2016 will be allowed to carry their self-made flag at tonight’s opening ceremony.

"IOC is aware of the project," co-founder of TheRefugeeNation.org Artur Lipori tells Around the Rings. "The campaign organizers have reached out and asked them to allow the athletes to carry the flag created by the refugee artist Yara Said. But at this point we haven’t gotten any confirmation from them."

Despite a lack of confirmation an hour before the ceremony, Lipori tells ATR that people can expect to see a few of the refugees with the new flag over their shoulders as they enter Maracana Stadium.

"Some of the athletes on the Refugee Team have been provided with flags and we believe they will bring them along with them as they compete at the games," says Lipori. "We expect to see a few with the flag draped over their shoulders."

The refugee flag was created by Syrian refugee and artist Yara Said who says the orange and black colors represent the life vests worn and the struggle many refugees faced while fleeing their country.

"Black and Orange is a symbol of solidarity with these brave souls who had to wear life vests to cross the sea to look for safety," Said says. "I also had to wear one; which is why I identify with these colors and these people."

The refugee team also has an original anthem to support their cause and unify them. Composer and Syrian refugee Moutaz Arian wrote the anthem for the athletes to stand to.

"I want to make music not just for Kurds or Arabs, but for the whole world," said Arian.

The IOC has also yet to confirm whether the athletes would hear their unique anthem if they become Olympic champions.

Lipori says the creation of the flag and anthem will create an historic moment for the Olympic Movement.

"These athletes will be representing 65 million displaced people worldwide," he tells ATR. "They will be there showing the world that it’s possible to make your dreams come true, despite the hardships life throws at you. The flag and anthem will send a message of hope to all refugees in the world."

Lipori also says the having a flag to identify with is also important to the fans.

"With the flag, the crowd will now have colors to wear, a song to hum and flag to wave — they will truly have the chance to cheer for their Olympic heroes. "

Amnesty International is a supporter of the refugee Olympic team and says that standing with the refugees shows they are not alone.

"During the Olympic games, we’re sending the message that any human being who has been forced to flee the country they call home has the right to be safe and rebuild their lives, and that millions of people stand in solidarity with refugees," says Amnesty International USA’s interim executive director Margaret Huang.

The 10 athletes hail from Syria, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo and will compete in swimming, athletics and judo.

Rami Anis, Yiech Pur Biel, James Nyang Chiengjiek, Yonas Kinde, Anjelina Nada Lohalith, Rose Nathike Lokonyen, Paulo Amotun Lokoro, Yolande Bukasa Mabika, Yusra Mardini and Popole Misenga will march into the opening ceremony behind host country Brazil.

Written by Kevin Nutley

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