International Olympic Committee

James Nyang Chiengjiek, 25, is a refugee from South Sudan living in Kenya. He is competing in the 800m race. ; At age 13, James Nyang Chiengjiek fled his home in what was then southern Sudan to avoid being kidnapped by rebels who were forcibly recruiting child soldiers. As a refugee in neighbouring Kenya, he attended school in a highland town known for its runners and joined a group of older boys training for long-distance events. ìThatís when I realised I could make it as a runner ñ and if God gives you a talent, you have to use it,î he says. At first, he did not have proper running shoes. Sometimes he borrowed footwear from others, but he won no matter what he wore on his feet. ìWe all of us got a lot of injuries because of the wrong shoes we had,î he says. ìThen we were sharing. If maybe you have two pairs of shoes, then you help the one that has none.î When he goes to Rio, James aims to inspire others. ìBy running well, I am doing something good to help others ñ especially refugees,î he says. ìMaybe among them are athletes with talent, but who did not yet get any opportunities. We are refugees like that, and some of us have been given this opportunity to go to Rio. We have to look back and see where our brothers and sisters are, so if one of them also has talent, we can bring them to train with us and also make their lives better.î
society 

UNHCR welcomes announcement of Refugee Olympic Team

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UNHCR warmly welcomed announcement by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) of the refugees who will compete as a team in the upcoming 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. They include two Syrian swimmers, two judokas from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and six runners from Ethiopia and South Sudan.

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