Refugee athletes change world view of displaced people, UN agency says

The participation of 10 refugee athletes at this year's Olympics has changed world's perception of the 65 million people who have been forced from their homes, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) said on Monday.

The deputy high commissioner of UNHCR, Kelly T. Clements, said, "This team has captured the world's attention and in a short period of time, changed the conversation about refugees."

Refugees form South Sudan, Syria, Democratic Republic of the Congo and Ethiopia, participated in running, swimming and judo at the games, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said at a daily news briefing here.

A Syrian swimmer won her heat and a Congolese judo competitor qualified for a second round.

Clements said the athletes have "inspired all of us to do more to work for peace and help those forced to flee."

The refugees will also take part in the Rio Paralympics in September as members of an Independent Paralympic Team, said the spokesman.

The 10 refugees participated in the Rio Olympics, which concluded on Sunday, under the Olympic flag as the International Olympic Committee formed the unique team for athletes that have fled conflict-driven countries and regions.

The team included five runners from South Sudan, two swimmers from Syria, two judokas from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and a marathon runner from Ethiopia, besides five coaches and five other officials. Enditem