#5 Two refugee athletes will compete at 2016 Rio Paralympic Games
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After the Rio Olympic Games saw the participation of an unprecedented International Olympic Committee (IOC) sponsored refugee team, two athletes in the Rio Paralympic Games will also be competing as part of the first ever refugee team in Paralympics. Syrian swimmer and Iranian discus thrower will form an independent team that will compete under the Paralympic flag at the Games.
The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) had announced that two refugee and asylee athletes will be competing at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games. The two athletes are –Syrian-born swimmer Ibrahim Al Hussein and Iranian discus thrower who lives in the USA, Shahrad Nasajpour. The two will be a part of the Independent Paralympic Athletes (IPA) team at the Games.
There have been previous instances where athletes have competed as independents at the Paralympic Games, but this will be the first time that those with refugee and asylee status will receive special recognition in a dedicated team guided by a chef de mission, coaches and support staff.
27-year old Al Hussein will be competing in the 50m and 100m freestyle S10 (provisional) as a leg amputee in Rio whereas Nasajpour will compete in the men’s discus (F37 class). The IPA team will be marching first at the opening ceremony in Rio and will have the Paralympic anthem played at their official presentations, such as medal and village welcome ceremonies.
The 2016 Paralympic Games will leave an important legacy in the longer term which will include improved accessibility in public spaces and on public transport. The Games will also help in changing the perceptions towards people with a disability.
