TeamRefugees: Yiech Pur Biel

Yiech Pur Biel knew early on that if he wanted to make it in life, he would have to do so on his own. Forced to flee the fighting in southern Sudan in 2005, he ended up on his own in a refugee camp in northern Kenya. He started playing football there, but grew frustrated at having to rely so much on his teammates. With running he felt greater control over his own destiny.

"Most of us face a lot of challenges," says Yiech. "In the refugee camp, we have no facilities – even shoes we don't have. There is no gym. Even the weather does not favour training because from morning up to the evening it is so hot and sunny."

Yet he stayed motivated. "I focused on my country, South Sudan, because we young people are the people who can change it," he says. "And secondly, I focused on my parents. I need to change the life they are living."

Competing in the 800 metres at Rio, Yiech says, could help him to become an ambassador for refugees everywhere. "I can show to my fellow refugees that they have a chance and a hope in life. Through education, but also in running, you can change the world."