There will be a very special team at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, with a group of men and women from different parts of the world set to enter the Maracana stadium under the Olympic banner and one united flag – they are the Olympic refugee team. The squad is made up of ten athletes, six men and four women, with half of them coming from the world's newest nation, South Sudan. Their inclusion in this year’s Games has much more to it than just sports.

Five of the team are runners from South Sudan. They run in unison. They run for each other. But more importantly, they run for those fleeing conflicts around the world.

Pur Biel, a South Sudanese Olympic refugee, lost contact with his family, as his country remains mired in ongoing conflict.

He said, "Most of them lose hope in life. When you call someone a refugee, they feel ashamed. Even some of them, maybe, they don't have a chance to do everything other human beings can do, like going to a school. Most of them stay in the camps, because they are losing hope in life. As ambassador for them, I can tell them don't lose hope in life, you have a chance to change your life."

Violence in South Sudan forced them out of their own country, so now they train in Kenya.

The quintet work out together, and have become a surrogate family for one another, even though their own loved ones are never far from their minds. 

James Chiengjiek, another South Sudanese Olympian for the refugee team, noted, “It makes them happy that I get this chance and they just give me that encouragement. They told my uncle to come and tell me that I should utilize it well, also that I should remember the refugees when I come back from Rio."

They are aware that their participation has a much bigger impact than winning or losing, as it provides hope to others.

Olympian Rose Nathike, also originally from South Sudan, remarked, "I think for me I feel very excited because this time it is the first chance for the refugees to participate in the Olympics and to give us hope, for us to encourage the young generations, fellow refugees, who are remaining in the camps to continue their talent."

As well as the five athletes from South Sudan, the Refugee team also includes two swimmers from Syria, two athletes competing in judo events from the Democratic Republic of Congo, and an Ethiopian marathon runner.

They know their next trip will see them bound for Rio, but it is just the start of another journey as they seek a permanent home.