Meet refugee Olympians who dared to dream amid conflict

Yonas Kinde, Olympic Marathoner from Ethiopia and player of the Refugee Olympic Team during the Global Education and Skills Forum at the Atlantis

A group of refugee Olympians have shared their inspiring stories of keeping their love for sport alive despite the terror that struck their lives due to war and conflict.
Khaleej Times spoke to Yolanda Mabika and three other refugee Olympians at the second day of the 5^th Global Education and Skills forum, who said they have been very fortunate but want other refugees to have opportunities like them.
Originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mabika was one of the 10 refugees selected to be part of the Refugee Olympic Team (ROT) and competed in judo at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. However, their journey to the Olympics were full of challenges.
Mabika was separated from her parents during the conflicts left behind the second Congo War. She took up judo as way to "defend" herself.
"I was so scared of the war that I started learning judo. I wanted to teach myself self-defence. I would train in the refugee camp. There were no resources, only wood on the floor. I didn't spend much time in school because the war had started," the 29-year-old said.
"Later on, I went to Brazil with my team to compete in the World Judo Championships, but I was abandoned. I never got to compete. I slept on the streets, worked as a sweeper, I went days without eating. I suffered a lot, but one thing that kept me going was judo. I love sports and I couldn't give up.
"I was given help by the Institute of Reacao and then the Olympic Solidarity Programme helped me. When I found out I was one of the 10 refugees who would be competing in the Olympics, I couldn't believe it. Judo has changed my life."
Ethopian refugee Yonas Kinde is a track and field athlete who also competed in the 2016 Summer Olympics.
The 36-year-old, who now lives in Luxembourg, said competing in the Olympics made him feel respected.
"Rio was amazing. We felt like we were human beings, we felt respected. My next goal is to compete in Tokyo 2020," he said.
"I remember running when I was a little boy in school. I would carry my bag on my shoulders and back and run to school, which was about 16km away.
"I'm training very hard but it's difficult. It's not easy managing work and training, but I won't give up. My message to all of the refugees is don't give up and don't lose hope."
Syrian refugee Rami Anis took part in the Rio games as a swimmer. The 25-year-old and his family took asylum in Turkey after fleeing Aleppo.
"I used to swim every day in my home country. When we had to leave I was heartbroken. But I am very happy where I am now. I hope for the best for all of the refugees in the world," Anis said.
sarwat@khaleejtimes.com

• Dubai