Olympics Recognizes The Plight of Refugees
I have enjoyed watching the Olympics the last two weeks. I really love cycling, gymnastics, track and field, tennis and even weightlifting. However, I was particularly touched by the inclusion of a refugee Olympic team. Sports has always been used to promote a political message, and this is not different. The Olympics created a special team of 10 refugees to highlight the global problem of forced migration, and to give hope to other refugees who feel their lives are doomed.
“These refugees have no home, no team, no flag, no national anthem,” said IOC President Thomas Bach. “We will offer them a home in the Olympic Village together with all the athletes of the word. The Olympic anthem will be played in their honour and the Olympic flag will lead them into the Olympic Stadium. This will be a symbol of hope for all the refugees in our world, and will make the world better aware of the magnitude of this crisis. It is also a signal to the international community that refugees are our fellow human beings and are an enrichment to society. These refugee athletes will show the world that despite the unimaginable tragedies that they have faced, anyone can contribute to society through their talent, skills and strength of the human spirit.”