Some 29 athletes competing across 12 sports from 13 nations will be part of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Refugee Olympic Team (EOR) at Tokyo 2020.
The athletes were selected from among the refugee athletes in various countries currently supported by the IOC through the Olympic Scholarships for Refugee Athletes program.
According to the IOC the refugee athletes will send a powerful message of solidarity and hope to the world this summer, bringing further awareness to the plight of over 80 million displaced people worldwide.
“Congratulations to all of you. I speak on behalf of the entire Olympic Movement when I say that we cannot wait to meet you in person and to see you compete in Tokyo. 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 July 23, 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,” said IOC President Thomas Bach when addressing the athletes.