‘The first-ever Refugee Olympics Athletes team made its debut at the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil’, says the UN Secretary-General

Although they may not have won any gold medals at the recent Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, UN Secretary- General Ban Ki-moon and the International Olympic Committee, indicated that the first-ever Refugee Olympic Athletes made history just the same.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and his wife, Yoo Soon-taek, met with members of the first ever Refugee Olympic Athletes team in the Olympic Village in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. UN Photo/Mark Garten.

The Rio Olympics Games marked the first games held in South America, and the highly motivated athletes that represented the Refugee Olympic Team were enthusiastically recognized at the closing ceremonies in Rio by the International Olympic Committee. Will there be a Refugee Olympic Team at the next Olympics in Tokyo, Japan in the year 2020?

The International Olympic Committee had taken the unprecedented step of including a refugee team in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Members of the team met the Honorary President of the IOC, Jacques Rogge in
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon took part in the Olympic torch relay ahead of the opening ceremony of the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. UN Photo/ Mark Garten.

The refugees were forced to flee their homes –but thanks to the IOC, they had the chance to chase gold. The refugee team initiative shows how the Olympics Is using its unique global reach to help raise public awareness about critical issues.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon wished the OIC and President Bach, success in their efforts to create a more just and peaceful world through sport.

Title Photo: UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and his wife, Yoo Soon-taek, met with members of the first ever Refugee Olympic Athletes team in the Olympic Village in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. UN Photo/Mark Garten.