The Refugee Olympic Team: questions of politics, gender and law

Abstract

This thesis examines the creation, composition and importance of the Refugee Olympic Team (ROT), which is a team that was created in October of 2015 by the President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Thomas Bach. First of all, emphasis will be given on the meaning of the legal status of the refugees under the international law, as well as, on the need for their international protection, since these two are absolutely connected with the refugee team. In addition, the definition of the global refugee crisis will be described, along with the importance of sports in refugees’ lives, which is a part that will be analyzed in depth, as well. At the same time, a small history of the Olympic Games will be given, as well as, the definition of ‘Olympism’ and some of the political issues of the Games. However, a substantial part of the research is devoted to gender equality regarding the Olympic Games in general, and more specifically, regarding the participation of women refugees in this team. Generally, the Refugee Olympic Team is, indeed, an issue of concern for all the countries, since it is always possible for a country to be represented in the Olympics, through members of this team, which is undoubtedly an honor, not only for the participants, but for the country itself, as well. Last but not least, it goes without saying that, this team gives to the refugees the opportunity to emerge and to show their talent, which may be, indeed, a ‘therapy’ for them, since their stories are, usually, painful and traumatic.