Popole Misenga was one of the faces of the Rio 2016 Olympics, as part of the Games' first refugee team.
Popole Misenga was one of the faces of the Rio 2016 Olympics, as part of the Games' first refugee team.
YASUYOSHI CHIBA/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
The Olympics brought Misenga global attention and contact with the likes of IOC president Thomas Bach.
The Olympics brought Misenga global attention and contact with the likes of IOC president Thomas Bach.
Pool/Getty Images South America/Getty Images
Misenga's goal was to win a medal in Rio and he triumphed in his opening bout against India's Avtar Singh.
Misenga's goal was to win a medal in Rio and he triumphed in his opening bout against India's Avtar Singh.
Elsa/Getty Images South America/Getty Images
But he was eventually eliminated by world No. 1 Gwak Dong-han, who knocked him out at the end of the four-minute contest.
But he was eventually eliminated by world No. 1 Gwak Dong-han, who knocked him out at the end of the four-minute contest.
Elsa/Getty Images South America/Getty Images
Misenga previously competed for Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) but ran away from the country's team base during the 2013 World Championships in Rio.
Misenga previously competed for Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) but ran away from the country's team base during the 2013 World Championships in Rio.
Buda Mendes/Getty Images South America/Getty Images
Yolande Mabika (right) and Misenga at the Rio Olympics in 2016. Three years earlier, Mabika, also a former DRC athlete, helped Misenga escape the team's Rio base.
Yolande Mabika (right) and Misenga at the Rio Olympics in 2016. Three years earlier, Mabika, also a former DRC athlete, helped Misenga escape the team's Rio base.
Ker Robertson/Getty Images South America/Getty Images
Orphaned at the age of nine, it was an emotional Olympics for Misenga who had not seen many of his family members for more than a decade.
Orphaned at the age of nine, it was an emotional Olympics for Misenga who had not seen many of his family members for more than a decade.
Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images South America/Getty Images
Misenga now has a new family in Rio, living in one of the city's many favelas with his Brazilian partner and their children.
Misenga now has a new family in Rio, living in one of the city's many favelas with his Brazilian partner and their children.
YASUYOSHI CHIBA/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
The 25-year-old describes his current existence as "a good life" and has his sights set on the next Olympics in Tokyo.
The 25-year-old describes his current existence as "a good life" and has his sights set on the next Olympics in Tokyo.
YASUYOSHI CHIBA/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
In order to achieve his dream he is being trained by Geraldo Bernardes (second from left) in Rio.
In order to achieve his dream he is being trained by Geraldo Bernardes (second from left) in Rio.
YASUYOSHI CHIBA/AFP/AFP/Getty Images