|
RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug. 2 (Xinhua) -- Although judoka Popole Misenga from the first-ever Refugee Olympic Team (ROT) on Tuesday expressed his hope for a medal at the Rio 2016 Olympics, he and his teammates dreamed more.
Originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Misenga now lives in Brazil as he has children here and learns Portuguese.
"They give me a chance to reach an Olympic Games and I am ready. I will demonstrate what I learned there and that moment is coming," Misenga told a press conference.
Ten refugees including Misenga will participate in the Rio Olympic Games under the Olympic flag as the International Olympic Committee formed the unique team for athletes that have fled conflict-driven countries and regions.
The team includes five runners from South Sudan, two swimmers from Syria, two judokas from the Democratic Republic of Congo and a marathon runner from Ethiopia, besides five coaches and five other officials.
Yolande Mabika Bukasa, who is also from the Democratic Republic of Congo, dyed her hair blonde.
"I have changed my hair style to build a new life and to organize everything new, a new story, a new house, a new place, including the color of my hair," Bukasa said.
With the new image, the black-belt judoka Bukasa felt happy to look into the future as she hoped sports could give strength not only to her, but also to all the refugees as well.
"We want to show the world that we are capable of performing as any team. We are here as role models for all the refugees of the world."
The 18-year-old swimmer Yusra Mardini left hometown Damascus for her dream of swimming.
"There are a lot of problems in our country but you also remember all the good times," said Mardini, who will attend the women's 100m butterfly and 100m freestyle swimming in Rio.
"A lot of things happened and it was really bad but when you remember that life had not stopped for you, at some point you have to move on.
"I want everyone (there) to think of their dreams because a lot of people there have forgotten their dreams."
