South Sudanese runner to compete in Olympics

by admin
Jul 20, 2012
Guor Marial, a long distance runner from South Sudan will be competing in the upcoming London Olympics, after the International Olympic Committee granted him permission to compete under the Olympic flag.

Speaking to Associated Press, Marial said,
"The voice of South Sudan has been heard."

"The South Sudan has finally got a spot in the world community. Even though I will not carry their flag in this Olympic Games, the country itself is there. "

"The dream has come true. The hope of South Sudan is alive."
Marial paid special tribute to the people of his nation, stating,
“Most important is the people of South Sudan. They struggle so much, so if I can accomplish something, I can help. That’s why every morning, I get up, I put on my shoes and I train.”
The decision came about as the newly formed South Sudan has not yet been able to form a National Olympic Committee, disallowing it from sending a team to compete in the Olympics.

US Representative Barbara Lee, Democrat of California, who supported Marial’s bid to compete, commented,
“I look forward to the day when the people of South Sudan can field their own Olympic team... But until that time comes, the International Olympic Committee should allow individuals like Guor to compete under the Olympic flag.”
Marial will be joining three athletes from the former Netherlands Antilles in competing under the Olympic flag, after they refused to run for the Netherlands when the Antilles ceased to officially exist in 2010.

In the Sydney Olympics in 2000, four athletes from the East Timor were also allowed in under the Olympic flag, as the country was yet to be officially established.

See our earlier post: Running for his nation (18 July 2012)

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