Athletics: S. Sudan Refugee Olympians Run For Glory Of Lost Home

Zeeshan Mehtab Published July 30, 2016 | 11:43 AM

NAIROBI, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 30th july,2016) - There will be more South Sudanese competing at the Rio Games in the Olympics refugee team than for the African state that will be taking part for the first time. Five South Sudanese runners who make up half of the refugee Olympic Team arrived in Rio on Friday.

For the likes of James Nyang Chiengjiek the troubles of home have cast a shadow over the tough preparations for the Games which start August 5. South Sudan is allowed to send three runners who will take part with special invitations. The refugee team was selected by the International Olympic Committee in June to compete under the Olympic flag as the world struggles with its biggest migrant crisis since World War II.

Apart from the South Sudanese there are Syrian swimmers Yusra Mardini and Rami Anis, Ethiopian marathon runner Yonas Kinde and judokas Yolande Bukasa Mabika and Popole Misenga, who come from Democratic Republic of the Congo and live in Brazil. The three men and two women from South Sudan -- Chiengjiek, Yiech Pur Biel, Paulo Amotun Lokoro, Anjelina Nadai Lohalith and Rose Nathike Lokonyen -- were picked in September at trials held at the sprawling Kakuma refugee camp in northern Kenya. "The team has been training well in Ngong and I hope they perform well in Rio," said the athletes' Olympic co-ordinator Tegla Loroupe, referring to the town southwest of Nairobi where they have been training.