It was March 2013 when militants attacked the home of athlete William Kopati.
The 22-year old high-jumper and long-jumper was the Central African Republic’s (CAR) national champion in 2009. But then the war came.
“I entered my last competition in 2012 before I was forced to flee.” Kopati left his home, and, he thought, his chances of an Olympic career, on on March 28, 2013.
“My first dream is to continue with athletics,” admits Kopati. “I love it so much, but I had to abandon it because of the situation in my country.”
Athletes in exile
Kopati’s one of an unlikely crew of sports stars in exile. A lucky few managed to grab a photo album or a medal as they fled. Others have only their memories.
Professional soccer players Teddy Gossengha and Nadine Adremane are among a group of sport stars that have found safety and shelter in the northern reaches of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), at the Mole refugee camp.
More than two hours by road from the closest Congolese town, Zongo — the camp continues to provide a safe haven to refugees from the CAR. Since December 2013 the camp has taken in over 17,000 new arrivals — only a fraction of the 800,000 that have been displaced since rebels took control of large parts of the country.
Former CAR national karate champion Martial Nantouna is one of them.
“I hear the announcements of the president of the karate federation on Radio Bangui. When I hear him, I don’t feel good, because before we [used to be] together,” says Nantouna.
“I wonder whether [in future] our karate federation in Mole could join the national karate federation in Kinshasa and join the DRC national championship.”
Refugees look to the Olympics
The future of these athletes hangs in the balance. But last month, International Olympic Committee president, Thomas Bach, gave some reason for hope.
In a speech at the UN General Assembly, Bach announced that refugee athletes will be allowed to compete at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.
“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,” said Bach.
“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.”
With civil unrest ongoing in the CAR, the Olympic Games seem a long way away to the athletes housed at the Mole refugee camp. But despite their desperate situation, they continue to stay fit, practice their sport and help train up younger refugees.
Karate champion Nantouna, for one, still has some fight left in him.
“I ask God to bring peace back to my country.” he says.
“But I am still on the national team. If someone tells me to go to the mat, I will go.”
