Refugee runners bounce to Rio 2016 with hope

Refugee runners bounce to Rio 2016 with hope

Though they may be small in numbers the Refugee Olympics Team that departed for Brazil on Thursday afternoon are hopeful to send a message of peace and also show the world that they too got talent.

The rare opportunity came by after the International Olympics Committee (IOC) decided give refugees fleeing from internal conflict from Southern Sudan all the way to Syria to highlight their predicaments in the greatest sporting arena.

Chef-de-Mission Tegla Lorupe assured that her team of 10 athletes is ready for its international debut and is not shy to show case their talent to the rest of the world come August 5-21.

Loroupe who is also a global peace ambassador explained that if they happen to win a medal it would be recognized under the IOC flag who are also financing the team.

“The team is ready to compete and very excited. The Customs Department was warm and welcoming, they treated us well. The clearance was smooth and quick.

“We also had a representative from the UNCHR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) and a representative from the International Olympics Committee (IOC) who had brought our accreditations,” the retired women’s marathon champion and three-time World Half Marathon Champion detailed.

For team captain Yiech Pur Beil 21, being in the same track with 800m Olympics champion and record holder David Rudisha will be the realisation of a dream.

Speaking to Citizen Digital before departure Pur says that his team is not going to be intimidated by their competitors’ titles and they will do the best they can.

“I feel very excited that we are finally leaving for the Olympics. It will be my first time and I hope to represent the reset of the refugees well.

“The team is also very excited and eager to compete with the rest of the world and show that they too have talent,” the gushing runner and team captain declared.

Tags:

olympics athletics IOC Tegla Loroupe Rio 2016 Refugee Olympics Team

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