Payment services company Visa has agreed a deal to sponsor a team of refugee athletes that will compete at the Rio 2016 summer Olympic Games in Brazil.
The first-of-its-kind team was officially confirmed by the International Olympic Committee last month and will comprise 10 athletes. Each athlete was yesterday (Wednesday) confirmed as a member of the 60-strong ‘Team Visa’ sponsorship roster.
Six men and four women will make up the refugee team, which will march with the Olympic flag before host nation Brazil at the Rio opening ceremony on August 5. Athletes are set to compete in swimming, judo and athletics. Five members of the team are from South Sudan, two each are from Syria and Democratic Republic of Congo, and one is from Ethiopia.
The latest additions are Anjeline Nadai Lohalith, James Nyang Chiengjiek, Paulo Amontun Lokoro, Popole Misenga, Rami Anis, Rose Nathike Lokonyen, Yiech Pur Biehl, Yolande Bukasa Mabika and Yonas Kinde.
Swimmer Yusra Mardini, of Syria, had already been confirmed as a Team Visa member, with the company yesterday announcing the additions of the nine remaining athletes. Mardini (pictured) and her sister swam for more than three hours in the open sea to reach Greece after the small boat she was on started to capsize. She helped more than a dozen people on the boat survive the journey.
Visa is an existing ‘TOP Partner’ of the Olympic Games.