Refugee will be a torch bearer in 2016, Refugee athletes will participate in 2016 Olympics
The 2016 Olympics are already making the news. The torch for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro will pass through a refugee camp in Athens and one refugee will be among the torch bearers, the head of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) said last week. The torch will be lit in Greece’s ancient Olympia on April 21 before leaving for Brazil. It will arrive in Brazil on May 3 to start its 100-day relay across the country.
Greece became the main gateway for refugees fleeing war and persecution in Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan. “The Olympic flame will pass through this camp here and will be shown to the refugees,” IOC head Thomas Bach said during a visit to a refugee camp in Athens.. “One of the refugees will be invited to carry the torch.”
The IOC has said that top athletes who are refugees with no home country to represent will be allowed to compete at the Rio Games under the Olympic flag.
KJ