Coach Geraldo Bernades said the question of whether any of the refugee team can win a medal is immaterial. RIO DE JANEIRO - If bravery was an Olympic sport, the 10 athletes who make up the first-ever refugee team in Rio would be odds-on for a clean sweep of the gold medals. The 25-year-old butterfly and freestyle swimmer described the refugee team as a group that "does not despair." Mardini, 18, spoke of her delight on Saturday at the prospect of participating in Rio, where she will compete in the 100 meters butterfly and 100m freestyle. During a perilous journey to Lesbos, the engine of their packed dinghy failed and the craft began taking on water.

Source: Bangkok Post July 30, 2016 21:45 UTC