Feature: South Sudan refugee athletes train in Kenya for Rio Olympics

Anjelina Nadai Lohalith has faint memories of the civil conflict in her native country South Sudan that left hundreds of thousands dead and more than one million displaced.

The 22-year-old was an adolescent when a close relative facilitated her long trek to neighboring Kenya in search of a safe haven.

Lohalith's 15-year sojourn at the Kakuma refugee camp in northern Kenya provided a platform for her to pursue formal education while honing athletic skills.

The high school graduate has made achivements in athletics despite her refugee status in a foreign land.

She will be among ten young refugees from African and Middle Eastern countries who will participate in the August Olympic games in Rio De Jenairo to spread the message of peace, solidarity and hope.

During an interview with Xinhua on Thursday at a training camp on the outskirts of the Kenyan capital Nairobi, Lohalith was optimistic the young refugees will prove their athletic mettle and inspire their peers in global hotspots.

"I am excited by the prospect of participating in the Rio Olympics and this historic opportunity will enable us to prove our athletic skills while preaching the message of peace," said Lohalith.

With a lean figure and agility, she will compete in the women's 1500-meter race. Now she is confident of bagging a medal after rigorous training in the last nine months.

Lohalith is among five young South Sudan refugees -- three males and two females -- who qualified to participate in the Rio Olympics after trials at the Kakuma refugee camp.

The five outsmarted their peers from other eastern African countries to be selected for the prestigious sporting event.

They are receiving training in Nairobi, which is supported by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) and the Kenya-based Tecla Lorupe Peace Foundation.

For the first time ever, the IOC formed a Refugee Olympic Team to enable them to prove their athletic prowess while spreading the message of peace and universal brotherhood. The 10 refugee athletes -- five from South Sudan, two from Syria, two from the Democratic Republic of Congo and one from Ethiopia -- will compete in Rio under the Olympic flag.

Lohalith said her participation at the Rio Olympics will help raise awareness on the huge reservoir of sporting talent that young refugees are endowed with.

"At the Rio Olympics, we are going to prove to the world that young refugees can compete in major races and win prizes," said she.

Paulo Amotun Lokoro, another South Sudanese refugee athlete who has lived in the Kakuma refugee camp since 2006, says he is fully prepared for the men's 1500-meter race at the Rio Olympics.

The 24-year-old high school student has managed to hone his football and athletic skills despite living in a harsh environment.

He started off as an amateur athlete while in high school.

"Coaches discovered my athletic talent during inter-school competitions and months of training since late last year has prepared me adequately for the Rio Olympics," Lokoro told Xinhua.

He too migrated to Kenya a decade ago to escape conflict in his native country.

Lokoro is enthusiastic about participating in the Rio Olympics as he will have an opportunity to meet global giants in the track and field.

"It will be an auspicious occasion brushing shoulders with the big names in the global athletic circuit. Our country will be mentioned in Rio and I will highlight the plight of refugees at the event," said he.

He aspires to become an international player and contribute to the transformation of the lives of young refugees.

The harsh terrain in northern Kenya where the young refugees from South Sudan live is an ideal environment to build physical stamina.

James Nyang Chiengjiek, a 25-year-old refugee from South Sudan, will run the men's 400-meter. He credits exposure to a harsh environment alongside mentorship to his athletic skills.

The engineering student at a mid-level college in northern Kenya started running while in middle school.

Chiengjiek told Xinhua he felt honored to participate in the Rio Olympics.

"I feel proud to be among the young refugees selected to run in the upcoming Olympic Games. It will be a precious moment to learn new things and meet sporting giants who have inspired me since childhood," said Nyak. Endit