Refugees say 'queijo' in front of the Christ the Redeemer statue (Photo: Rio 2016/André Naddeo)
Seven of the 10 athletes that make up the team of refugees visited the most famous monument in Brazil this Saturday (30 July)
An obvious choice for any tourist, but that does not stop it from being 'breathtaking'. This was the adjective used by the Syrian swimmer Yusra Mardini to describe Christ the Redeemer, the most famous of all Brazilian postcard images. Accompanied by most of the Refugee Olympic Team, Mardini visited the monument on Saturday morning (30 July), six days before the Opening Ceremony of the 2016 Olympic Games.
Seven of the 10 athletes that make up the team of refugees visited the most famous monument in Brazil this Saturday (30 July)
An obvious choice for any tourist, but that does not stop it from being 'breathtaking'. This was the adjective used by the Syrian swimmer Yusra Mardini to describe Christ the Redeemer, the most famous of all Brazilian postcard images. Accompanied by most of the Refugee Olympic Team, Mardini visited the monument on Saturday morning (30 July), six days before the Opening Ceremony of the 2016 Olympic Games.
"The view from up here is simply incredible," said the swimmer, who was looking out from the iconic spot with compatriot and fellow swimmer Rami Anis, as well as five athletes from South Sudan who now live in Kenya: Yiech Pur Biel (800m), James Nyang (400m), Anjelina Nadai (1.500m) e Rose Lokonyen (800m). Also with them was the head of the delegation, Kenyan Tegla Loroupe.
Selfie with the refugees: the athletes were harassed for photos by tourists (Photo: Rio 2016/André Naddeo)
"It's already a once in a lifetime experience being here at the Olympics and competing professionally with the best in the world. So imagine what it's now like for us to be in a place as beautiful as this, especially after all we have been through," said Anjelina Nadai between selfie requests.
Refugee athletes arrive for Rio 2016 with one dream: meet Usain Bolt
Like most visitors, the team used the train to arrive at the top of Corcovado mountain - where the statue sits. But as people began to realise that these were not any regular tourists, the requests for photos didn't stop.
"It's already a once in a lifetime experience being here at the Olympics and competing professionally with the best in the world. So imagine what it's now like for us to be in a place as beautiful as this, especially after all we have been through," said Anjelina Nadai between selfie requests.
Refugee athletes arrive for Rio 2016 with one dream: meet Usain Bolt
Like most visitors, the team used the train to arrive at the top of Corcovado mountain - where the statue sits. But as people began to realise that these were not any regular tourists, the requests for photos didn't stop.
Syrian swimmers at the christ statue: Yusra Mardini and Rami Anis will be the first team members to compete when they take to the pool this Saturday (6 July) (Photo: Rio 2016/André Naddeo)
Of the 10 athletes in the team, the only yet to arrive in Rio de Janeiro is Ethiopian marathon runner Yona Kinde, who will touch down on Monday (1 August).
Of the 10 athletes in the team, the only yet to arrive in Rio de Janeiro is Ethiopian marathon runner Yona Kinde, who will touch down on Monday (1 August).
By André Naddeo for Rio2016.com
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