The Refugee Team at the Olympics

As the Rio 2016 Olympics is well underway, a lot of concentration is on the medal tables. Which country is at the top? How did Britain do?

Well, what about the team that doesn't represent a country?

The Refugee Olympic Team represent 19 million refugees and asylum seekers across the world. This is the first time a team of individuals has entered the Olympics in such an eye-catching approach. The most common headlines;

"Rio Olympics 2016: Great Britain's rowers shine on day eight"

"Rio Olympics 2016: Andy Murray beats Kei Nishikori to reach gold-medal match"

Most people would say that due to the Refugee Olympic Team only winning one medal (so far)  and that they don't represent the country, that is why the media don't recognise them. Most people (especially athletes) would agree that the Olympics is about representing your country and therefore those who have no country are unlikely to get recognised. 

However, perhaps it's the message behind the Refugee Olympic Team rather than the medals or the fact that they represent no country that should be acknowledged the most in Rio 2016. They are doing something never done before, and they are sending a clear message that refugees are people. And this is something that we forget, that they have dreams and aspirations like the rest of us and that their situation should not hinder them from achieving such goals.