The Olympians going to Brazil are following a group young athletes from around the world who made their own remarkable journeys to Rio earlier this yearWith only 100 days until the world turns its eyes towards the Maracanã for the opening ceremony of the 2016 Olympic Games,serious doubts remain approximately Brazil’s capacity to deliver the event. But Rio de Janeiro has already hosted an alternative Olympics this year. The inaugural Street Child Games gave former homeless children the chance to become medal winners final month, offering an inspiring example of how grassroots sport can elevate the most marginalised groups and give them the opportunity to reveal their potential.
Take the cases of 14-year-old Hepsiba and 20-year-old Innocent, and who were both among the medal winners. Hepsiba,who lives with her mother in a night shelter in Chennai on the Bay of Bengal, picked up gold, and silver and bronze medals for India in the 100m,400m and 100m hurdles, giving her the confidence to continue training and pursue her dream of fitting a professional athlete.
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Source: theguardian.com