A Refugee Team Will Participate In The Rio Olympics This August

On Wednesday, the International Olympic Committee gave the go-ahead for an all-refugee team to compete at the 2016 Rio Olympics this August.

According to reports, there are already 43 athletes lined up as potential candidates to compete on a team that would represent the thousands who currently have no place to call home.

Speaking on the unprecedented decision, IOC President Thomas Bach reportedly said,

We have all been touched by the magnitude of this refugee crisis. By welcoming this team, we want to send a message of hope to all the refugees in the world.

One refugee team candidate is Yolande Mabika, a native of the Democratic Republic of the Congo now living in Brazil. According to New York magazine, Mabika hasn't seen her family in three years, but she hopes competing in the Rio Games will lead to a much-anticipated reunion.

The all-refugee team will reportedly compete under the banner of the Olympic flag.

Citations: An All-Refugee Team Will Compete in the Rio Olympics (New York magazine)