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Weightlifter Ramiro Mora Romero might have thought his Olympic dreams were over when he moved to the UK to join the circus, but now he's swapping the circus ring for the Olympic rings.

Romero was introduced to weightlifting in his native Cuba before leaving the country in 2019 and applied for asylum in the UK.

The Cuban spent months in a hotel and former army barracks, living off £8 a week and having to cycle miles to the nearest gym, but his passion for weightlifting persisted.

A British champion and record holder, Romero has been selected to represent the IOC Olympic Refugee Team, fulfilling a long-term promise to his parents, who died when he was young, of competing at an Olympic Games.

Image: Ramiro Mora Romero lifting at the 2023 British Weightlifting Championships. (Photo courtesy of Ramiro Mora Romero)