Families of refugee athletes hope for better lives after Rio Olympic

Frequently beset by high temperatures, sandstorms, floods and malaria, Kenya’s Kakuma Refugee Camp received some welcome good news this year when it found out that five of its residents will participate at this year’s Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

The camp, established in northwestern Kenya in 1992 to serve Sudanese refugees, has since expanded to serve refugees from Somalia, Ethiopia, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Uganda and Rwanda, and now shelters about 160,000 refugees.

One of the refugees selected to compete at Rio is 24-year-old Paulo Amotun Lokoro, a refugee from South Sudan. He has been living at the camp for about 10 years and will participate in the 1500m race at the Rio Games.

Standing outside a makeshift house where Lokoro’s broken shoes and some clothes can be found, his mother, Mary, said she is sure that her son will return after Rio to help his family.

“I’m happy. He will come back one day and help us,” said Mary.

Another member of the Refugee Olympic Team is Rose Nathike Lokonyen, 23. She fled war in South Sudan when she was 10 years old and will run in 800m race at Rio.

Her young sister and three brothers are looking forward to a better life when she returns.

“We’re just proud of her. When she came back [from] there, she’ll put us somewhere, not in Kakuma again,” said Tom, Lokonyen’s brother.

Ten refugees will participate at this year’s Olympic Games under a new flag for athletes who have fled conflict in countries and regions around the world.

The Refugee Olympic Team includes five runners from South Sudan, two swimmers from Syria, two judokas from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and a marathon runner from Ethiopia.