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First-ever refugee team ascends to Rio's Christ statue

By REUTERS

JULY 30, 2016 22:04

Members of the first-ever Olympic refugee team visited Rio de Janeiro's iconic Christ statue Saturday, with smiles as wide as their arms were outstretched, imitating the landmark's open embrace as they posed for photos.

A mist of light clouds softened the afternoon light, giving the athletes who come from harrowing backgrounds a heavenly glimpse of one of the world's most beautiful cities, with its golden sand beaches, blue ocean and lush green Atlantic rain forest below.

Standing at the base of the statue, Yusra Mardini, a swimmer who fled Syria's war and trains in Germany, said that the entire refugee team was elated to be in Rio "because all of them have the same strong feeling about never giving up, and they did a lot to reach here." Rio's Olympics that open this Friday and run through Aug. 21 are the first to include a team entirely of refugees, which includes ten athletes from four countries who will compete under the Olympic flag.

The team of six men and four women includes five athletes from South Sudan, two from Syria, two from Democratic Republic of Congo and one from Ethiopia.

They will compete in swimming, judo and athletics.

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