Rio Olympics 2016: Refugee team a beacon of 'hope'PAUL GILHAM/GETTY IMAGESTen olympic athletes represented the masses of refugees around the world during the Rio 2016 opening ceremony. ELSA/GETTY IMAGESREAD MORE:* Stuff's Rio Olympics guide to NZers in action* Rio Olympics: Meet Team New Zealand* Olympians: A story of three Kiwis on road to Rio* Stuff's Rio Olympics newsletter: sign up hereThe athletes originate from around the world, namely South Sudan, Syria, Democratic Republic of the Congo and Ethiopia. The assembled team of athletes marks the first ever Refugee Olympic Team. Flag bearer Rose Lokonyen Nathike, a 23-year-old South Sudanese runner, led the official Refugee Olympic Team into the Maracana Stadium on Friday night, making history in the process. US president Barrack Obama sent the team "a message of support" shortly before they marched into the Maracana Stadium, proceeding host nation Brazil.

Source: Stuff August 06, 2016 05:18 UTC