The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has announced the list of 29 athletes selected for the Refugee Olympic Team, and 10 of them are women from across the world, emerging from different displaced communities. All 29 athletes were selected from a pool of 50 athletes who hold scholarships in 13 host National Olympic Committees. The entire Refugee Olympic Team will compete under the Olympic flag, highlighting the fact that even though the athletes have been displaced from their home countries, they still have a place in a united world.
With over 80 million displaced people in the world, according to the UN Refugee Agency, this move is much needed. “We have more forcibly displaced people in the world right now, and therefore it went without saying that we wanted to create an IOC Refugee Olympic Team for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics,” IOC president, Thomas Bach, said.
Here’s what you should know about the 10 women athletes who are part of this unique team.
1. Rose Nathike Lokonyen: Born in South Sudan, Rose Nathike Lokonyen grew up in the Kakuma refugee camp in northern Kenya. She made her Olympic debut in 2016’s Rio Olympics, where she was the flag bearer for the first IOC Refugee Olympic Team. She’ll be competing in the 800-meter track event.
2. Anjelina Nadai Lohalith: Another South Sudan-born athlete, Anjelina Nadai Lohalith also made her Olympic debut at the Rio Olympics. She’ll be competing in the women’s 1,500 meter track event at the Tokyo Olympics.
3. Masomah Ali Zada: Born in Afghanistan, Masomah Ali Zada is a cyclist who now lives in France. She’ll be participating in the women’s road event at the Tokyo Olympics.
4. Muna Dahouk: Born in Syria, Muna Dahouk was introduced to judo at the age of six. She now lives in the Netherlands, and will be competing in the -63 kg category of judo at the Tokyo Olympics.
5. Dina Pouryounes Langeroudi: The first refugee athlete to compete in the World Taekwondo Championships, Dina Pouryounes Langeroudi has won 34 world-ranking medals in the sport since 2015. Originally from Iran, she now resides in the Netherlands.
6. Nigara Shaheen: Born in Afghanistan, Nigara Shaheen will compete in the -70 kg category of judo at the Tokyo Olympics.
7. Kimia Alizadeh Zenozi: This Taekwondo athlete claimed the bronze medal for Iran at the 2016 Rio Olympics, but has been displaced since (she now lives in Germany). She’ll be participating in the -57 kg category at the Tokyo Games.
8. Luna Solomon: Born in Eritrea, Luna Solomon—a sport shooter—now lives in Switzerland and trains under three-time Olympic gold medallist, Niccolo Campriani. She’ll be competing in the women’s 10-meter air rifle event this year.
9. Yusra Mardini: This Syrian swimmer carried a boatful of refugees to safety six years ago, and made her Olympic debut at the Rio Olympics of 2016. Currently residing in Germany, she’ll be competing in the women’s 100-meter butterfly event at the Tokyo Olympics.
10. Sanda Aldass: Originally from Syria, Sanda Aldass now lives in the Netherlands. She started her judo training at the age of seven, and is currently coached by her husband.