Two Syrian refugees to compete at Rio 2016

For the first time in the history of the Olympics, a team of refugees will be competing.

The International Olympic Committee announced the Refugee Olympic Athletes team of 10 refugees, which will be making history at the 2016 Rio Olympics this August.

“Their participation in the Olympics is a tribute to the courage and perseverance of all refugees in overcoming adversity and building a better future for themselves and their families,” said Filippo Grandi, UN High Commissioner for Refugees, according to UNHCR . “UNHCR stands with them and with all refugees.”

Among the team of 10, two Syrian refugees will be competing, raising the bar high for athletes in the region.

As a professional swimmer, Anis has an indefinite passion for swimming. Having started when he was 14 years old in Aleppo, the pool ultimately became his home.

“Swimming is my life,” Rami said, according UNHCR . “The swimming pool is my home.”

Yusra represented Syria at the FINA World Swimming Championships back in 2012. As a swimmer and a refugee, she made use of her exceptional swimming skills when stranded off the Turkish coast, she pushed the boat towards Greece.

“There were people who didn’t know how to swim,” Yusra said . “It would have been shameful if the people on our boat had drowned. I wasn’t going to sit there and complain that I would drown.”

Prior to the selection of the team of 10, 43 refugees were under consideration .