Show support for #TeamRefugees at the Rio Olympic Games

This summer at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, for the first time ever in the history of the Olympics, a team will act as a symbol for all those displaced from their homes by crisis, with the launch of a Refugee Olympic team.

This group of ten top-tier athletes will be representing refugees around the world, and “Team Refugees” are now calling on the public to show their support to the movement and “join the team”.

Ahead of tonight’s Opening Ceremony on August 5th, fans can show their support by sharing the #TeamRefugees message via social media, alongside @TeamRefugeesFC.

New content - including a campaign video - will be posted by @TeamRefugeesFC across its social platforms including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages ahead of the Games. 

Ten athletes, who originate from conflict zones such as Syria and South Sudan, will compete as a refugee team at the Rio games this year: in track and field, swimming, and judo.

The 2016 Olympic Games come amid an international refugee crisis, with some 20 million people displaced internationally and an additional 40 million people displaced within their own countries.

The team of 10 refugee athletes were welcomed with cheers, music and dancing when they arrived in the Olympic Village on Wednesday. Hundreds of athletes from other countries were there to greet the refugees at a special welcoming ceremony, joined by media from all around the world.

The refugee team will compete under the Olympic flag and the Olympic anthem will be played in their honour. Like the other delegations, the team will stay in the athletes’ village and will be accompanied by an entourage of coaches, medical staff and other officials.