International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach on Monday said top refugee athletes with no home country to represent would be allowed to compete at the 2016 Rio Games.
"This is the time when the international community comes together for peaceful competition. In the Olympic Village, we see tolerance and solidarity in their purest form. Athletes from all 206 National Olympic Committees live together in harmony and without any kind of discrimination," Mr. Bach said.
Mr. Bach's statement comes as Europe attempts to cope with a surge in refugees fleeing war and poverty in the Middle East and Africa.
"At present, none of these athletes would have the chance to participate in the Olympic Games even if qualified from the sports point of view because, with their refugee status, they are left without a home country and National Olympic Committee to represent," Mr. Bach said.
"Having no national team to belong to, having no flag to march behind, having no national anthem to be played, these refugee athletes will be welcomed to the Olympic Games with the Olympic flag and with the Olympic anthem.”
