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WATCH: 'Sesame Street' explains the special Refugee Olympic Team

The world is gearing up for the 2016 Olympics, with nearly 11,000 athletes and some 500...



WATCH: 'Sesame Street'...
Off The Ball Radio

WATCH: 'Sesame Street' explains the special Refugee Olympic Team

The world is gearing up for the 2016 Olympics, with nearly 11,000 athletes and some 500,000 tourists expected to attend.

But this year has a special team competing in the games - made up of refugees.

The executive board of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) say the team will be treated like all the others.

'Team Refugee Olympic Athletes' are having uniforms provided by the IOC, the Olympic flag will be raised for them, and the Olympic anthem will be played in place of a national one.

The team will also march behind the Olympic flag before host team Brazil at the opening ceremony.

While the Olympic Solidarity Commission is covering travel and other expenses for the team.

The athletes are:

  • Rami Anis (M): Country of origin – Syria; host NOC – Belgium; sport – swimming
  • Yiech Pur Biel (M): Country of origin – South Sudan; host NOC – Kenya; sport – athletics, 800m
  • James Nyang Chiengjiek (M): Country of origin – South Sudan; host NOC – Kenya; sport – athletics, 400m
  • Yonas Kinde (M): Country of origin – Ethiopia; host NOC – Luxembourg; sport – athletics, marathon
  • Anjelina Nada Lohalith (F): Country of origin – South Sudan; host NOC – Kenya; sport – athletics, 1500m
  • Rose Nathike Lokonyen (F): Country of origin – South Sudan; host NOC – Kenya; sport – athletics, 800m
  • Paulo Amotun Lokoro (M): Country of origin – South Sudan; host NOC – Kenya; sport – athletics, 1500m
  • Yolande Bukasa Mabika (F): Country of origin – Democratic Republic of the Congo; host NOC – Brazil; sport – judo, -70kg
  • Yusra Mardini (F): Country of origin – Syria; host NOC – Germany; sport – swimming
  • Popole Misenga (M): Country of origin – Democratic Republic of the Congo; host NOC – Brazil; sport – judo, -90kg

Still confused? Sesame Street's Grover breaks it all down.

It is hoped the team will shine a spotlight on the world-wide refugee crisis.

The IOC says: "Ten refugee athletes will act as a symbol of hope for refugees world-wide and bring global attention to the magnitude of the refugee crisis when they take part in the Olympic Games Rio 2016 this summer."

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