IOC TOP sponsor Visa today announced its complete roster of signed athletes for the Rio Games, adding nine members of the first-ever Olympic Refugee Team and five Europeans to reach 60 athletes. The newly signed athletes include five members of the Tegla Loroup Peace Foundation, a Kenya-based nonprofit that organizes “peace races” in eastern Africa, who will all compete as refugees. The IOC created the team in June to act “as a symbol of hope” and draw attention to the refugee crisis. The newly signed athletes include: British sprinter Adam Gemili, swimmer Adam Peaty, gymnast Claudia Fragapane and cyclist Elinor Barker, as well as Polish Paralympic table tennis player Natalia Partyka. The Refugee Team members include track and field athletes Anjeline Nadai Lohalith, James Nyang Chiengjiek, Paulo Amontun Lokoro, Rose Nathike Lokonyen, Yiech Pur Biehl and Yonas Kinde; swimmers Popole Misenga and Rami Anis; and judoka Yolande Bukasa Mabika. Most of Visa’s American members were signed in '15 or earlier this year, including decathlete Ashton Eaton and swimmer Missy Franklin.
