Inspiration
Triumph Against Adversity: How a Team of Refugees Achieved the Pinnacle of Sporting Excellence
Members of the first Refugee Olympic Team who took part in the 2016 Rio Olympics shared how they triumphed in spite of the refugee crisis to reach the very top of their individual sport.
Members of the first Refugee Olympic Team who took part in the 2016 Rio Olympics shared how they triumphed in spite of the refugee crisis to reach the very top of their individual sport.
Presenting their life experiences at the recently concluded Global Education & Skills Forum (GESF), these heroes spoke on the topic of ‘Triumph Against Adversity: How a Team of Refugees Achieved the Pinnacle of Sporting Excellence’.
The distinguished list of speakers included Popole Misenga, Olympic Judoka, Republic of Congo; Yonlande Bukasa Mabika, Olympic Judoka, Republic of Congo; Yonas Kinde, Olympic Marathoner, Ethiopia; and Rami Anis, Olympic Swimmer, Syria. They were moderated by Geraldo De Moreaes Bernardes, Olympic Judo Coach from Brazil.
The Olympians discussed the tragedies and unfortunate accidents they experienced in their lives and the courage they displayed in overpowering them.
Bernardes said: “Being a Judo coach for over 20 years I won six medals at the Olympics before I decided to become a social worker. Judo has the power to transform people and sports in general will allow people to have a better life. Popole and Yonlande are two refugees who came to Brazil in 2013 and were at one point homeless before I trained them with the dream of making a refugee Olympic team. Participating at the Olympics was a great 30 days experience for them, and they are now financially stable with aim of participating at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.”
Misenga shared of his experiences stating that “as a refugee from Congo to Brazil in 2013, I was on the streets before Flávio Canto, creator of Instituto Reação, a non-governmental organisation that promotes human development and social inclusion through sports and education, took me in and helped me practice Judo free of charge. I can proudly say that sports has changed my life and would like to thank Flavio, Geraldo and everyone else who supported me along the way.”
Mabika also reflected that it was people like Canto and Bernardes who believed in humanity and went above and beyond in their efforts. “I got into Judo as a 10-year-old as a self-defence strategy from the war back home. I travelled to Brazil as part of a Judo championship before I was abandoned by my team there and left homeless on the streets. My message to all refugees wherever they are in the world is not to give up on your life and work hard to create your own story.”
Yonas Kinde, added: “Rio 2016 was an amazing experience for us as everyone cheered and respected us, which is something that ignited me even more. I am motivated for my next goal which is the upcoming games at Tokyo 2020. I am thankful for my sponsors, who have also supported me throughout the process and would also like to say that I am proud to be a part of this year’s Global Education & Skills Forum (GESF), which has provided me with the ideal platform to spread the message to as many people possible, especially that there is a good number of people who are in the same situation as me.”
Rami Anis, concluded: “My journey as a swimmer began in Syria when I was only six years old before problems in my country forced me to flee from my hometown to Turkey and then Belgium to pursue my passion. The Olympics committee has supported me and provided me with a key opportunity, which I hope to build on until Tokyo 2020 and hopefully beyond that. For everyone who is listening to me today, my message for them is to never give up and keep following their dreams because being a refugee is not our choice.”