These 10 nation-less athletes have formed the first-ever all-refugee Olympic team

Yusra Mardini of Syria visit the Olympia stadium Olympiapark Berlin on March 9, 2016.

(Image credit: Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images for IOC)

published 3 June 2016

The International Olympic Committee has announced a 10-person "all-refugee" team that will compete at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro this summer. "The refugees have no home, no team, no flag, no national anthem. We will offer them a home in the Olympic Village together with all the athletes of the world," IOC President Thomas Bach said Friday.

It is the first time a refugee team has competed in the Olympics, and they will function just as any other team, but with their expenses footed by the IOC, Al Jazeera reports.

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Rami Anis (M): Syria; swimmingYiech Pur Biel (M): South Sudan; athletics, 800mJames Nyang Chiengjiek (M): South Sudan; athletics, 400mYonas Kinde (M): Ethiopia; athletics, marathonAnjelina Nada Lohalith (F): South Sudan; athletics, 1500mRose Nathike Lokonyen (F): South Sudan; athletics, 800mPaulo Amotun Lokoro (M): South Sudan; athletics, 1500mYolande Bukasa Mabika (F): Democratic Republic of the Congo; judo, -70kgYusra Mardini (F): Syria; swimmingPopole Misenga (M): Democratic Republic of the Congo; judo, -90kg

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Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.

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