29 athletes to represent refugee team at Tokyo 2020

LAUSANNE - 29 athletes across 12 sports will represent the IOC Refugee Olympic Team (EOR) at the upcoming Tokyo 2022 Olympic Games, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced on Tuesday.

The composition was announced upon the approval of the IOC Executive Board (EB) on its virtual meeting. Of the 29 members, six have participated in the Rio 2016, when the first refugee team of 10 members captured the attention of the world, namely swimmer Yusra Mardini, judoka Popole Misenga and runners Anjelina Nadai Lohalith (1,500m), James Nyang Chiengjiek (800m), Paulo Amotun Lokoro (1,500m) and Rose Nathike Likonyen (800m).

Olympian and former marathon world record-holder Tegla Loroupe will be the Chef de Mission of the team, which also comprises of 20 coaches and team officials. The EOR delegation will enter the stadium in second position immediately after Greece at the opening ceremony under the Olympic flag.

"When you, the IOC Refugee Olympic Team and the athletes from the National Olympic Committees from all over the globe, finally come together in Tokyo on 23 July, it will send a powerful message of solidarity, resilience and hope to the world. You are an integral part of our Olympic community, and we welcome you with open arms," IOC president Thomas Bach said when addressing a virtual ceremony attended by the 29 athletes.

The full squad will fly to Japan on July 14, nine days before the Tokyo 2020 unveil on July 23, according to the IOC.