#7 Refugee team competes at the Olympics
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The world has been heavily debating, discussing and fighting over the migrant/refugee crisis, which has such heart-wrenching repercussions that no matter how much one did, it would not be enough. However, come 2016 Rio Olympics, a ray of hope, a silver lining in the dark clouds or a bit of light at the end of the dark tunnel, emerged when the Refugee Olympic Team walked out in the opening ceremony to a huge roar from the packed crowd at the Maracana Stadium.
As a part of showing solidarity with refugees around the world, the International Olympic Committee decided to field a team of selected athletes under the Refugee Olympic Team head. It was a brilliant gesture that was well received by everyone, including and especially the Brazilian public. The 10 athletes who competed under the ROT banner included James Chiengjiek, Yiech Biel, Paulo Lokoro, Yonas Kinde, Rose Lokonyen, Popole Misenga, Yolande Mabika, Rami Anis and Yusra Mardini. Though they did not win a medal, the feeling of competing in a competition as prestigious as the Olympics, despite their own lives being literally devastating, must have meant the world to these 10 athletes.
