Congolese refugees in Brazil working to compete in Rio Olympics as part of the refugees team
Two Congolese refugees are battling to win a place in Judo championships at the upcoming Olympic Games as part of first ever stateless team in the Olympics
Judo competitor Popole Misenga and Yolande Mabika reached Brazil three years ago during the 2013 World Judo Championships in Rio. The two escaped from the Congolese team’s hotel and disappeared into Brazil.
Both Popole and Yolanda were born in Bukavu in the east DRC, an area worst affected by conflict. The 1998 – 2003 war and its aftermath left millions dead and millions without a home. They both lost members of their families before they were rescued and taken to Kinshasa. It was in Kinshasa, that they took up the sport of Judo. However, both tell horror stories of the training conditions which were excessively rigorous and saw them beaten and locked in cell if they lost.
Willing to get a fresh start in life, with the help of Catholic charity Cáritas, the two of them then applied for asylum and refugee status. Lacking knowledge of the Portuguese language and a run in with a few corrupt officials made their initial experience hard. They both did odd jobs and informal work to make ends meet. Having settled in their new communities, they have turned their focus to their first love, judo.
The two Congolese are the only ones out of the 8,500 refugees in Brazil with the chance to compete in the Olympics according to the Guardian. However, a final decision is yet to be made. And among the approximately 20 million refugees around the world, the ones talented in sports will have an opportunity to play in Rio Olympics as well.
The possibility of entering the Olympics has given the judokas a new purpose, training three times a week at the Instituto Reaco in Jacarepagua with members of the Brazilian team. They hope that since Brazil is renowned for having stars in the sports, it will rub off the winning streak on them
When Popole and Yolanda fled from the conflict torn Democratic Republic of Congo, they had no idea that they will become part of a dream team, first ever team to not fly a nation’s flag but rather for a bigger cause, which is to represent a ‘nation’ of refugees under the International Olympic Committee.
“I want to win a medal and inspire refugees from all over the world” Said Popole Misenga
