From Congo to Brazil, refugee lives Olympic dream

Popole Misenga, a refugee from the Democratic Republic of Congo and a judo athlete, poses at the entrance of his home in a slum in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, June 2, 2016. REUTERS/Pilar Olivares

RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) - Growing up as an orphan in the war-torn Democratic Republic of Congo, Popole Misenga never imagined he would be competing in the Olympic Games in his adopted city of Rio de Janeiro, much less for a new refugee team.

But on Aug. 5, the 24-year-old judo fighter will march alongside nine other refugees from Syria, South Sudan, Ethiopia and his native DRC at the opening ceremony. Then he will compete with them under the Olympic flag.