olympics YONAS KINDE, 36, BORN IN ETHIOPIA, MARATHON


“It’s a difficult situation and impossible for me to live there … it’s very dangerous for my life,” says Yonas Kinde about his former life in Ethiopia. After years of living in the wilderness, he made his way to Luxembourg five years ago, where he has been living under international protection. He had no formal training but was determined to be a marathoner. He studied French during the day, worked as a taxi driver at night and trained in between.


“I get power, and more and more power,” Yonas says about his love of running. “I normally train every day, but when I heard this news [about the refugee team] I trained two times per day, every day, targeting for these Olympic Games. It’s a big motivation.” Last October in a German marathon, he finished with a time of 2 hours, 17 minutes.


Living as a refugee in Luxembourg hasn’t been easy, but Yonas takes heart in the realization that he is free and can pursue his passion.


The chance to run with the world’s best in Rio de Janeiro represents much more than an athletic competition.


“I GET POWER, AND MORE AND MORE POWER [FROM RUNNING].”


© UNHCR/Gordon Welters


“I think it will be the big message that refugees, young athletes, they can do their best,” he says.


The last of the refugees to compete, Yonas finished his gruelling event in a time of 2:24.08. “We have to remember that so many people have sacrificed their lives. We have to remember.... We are the symbol of a fight.... We have showed that all refugees can do something, if they have a chance.”


JAMES NYANG CHIENGJIEK, 28, BORN IN SOUTH SUDAN, 800 METRES


James Nyang Chiengjiek’s father died in 1999 in the Sudanese civil war. James continued to tend his cattle at home in Bentiu, but then the war intensified and the risk of being kidnapped into the army became real. Like many South Sudanese children now known as the “Lost Boys of Sudan,” he travelled thousands of miles to safety, arriving in Kenya in 2002. He was able to join a group of older boys in a school known for its long-distance runners, and began training. “That’s when I realized I could make it as a runner—and if God gives you a talent, you have to use it,” he says.


He didn’t have proper running shoes, often borrowing them from others. Regardless, he still won races; his event is the 800-metre dash. “We all of us got a lot of injuries because of the wrong shoes we had,” he says. “Then we were sharing. If maybe you have two pairs of shoes, then you help the one that has none.”


James hopes that his journey to compete in Rio will inspire others.


“By running well, I am doing something good


“IF YOU HAVE TWO PAIRS OF SHOES, YOU HELP THE ONE THAT HAS NONE.”


© UNHCR/Benjamin Loyseau


to help others—especially refugees,” he says. “Maybe among them are athletes with talent, but who did not yet get any opportunities.”


Although he came last in his heat, James is proud of his inspiring accomplishment. “It is a very good moment for all refugees worldwide, not only for me. Although we did not manage to get great results that is part of life. It was very important to be here today, competing.”


UNHCR / 15


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