Former ‘Lost Boy of Sudan’ to Carry U.S. Flag

Former ‘Lost Boy of Sudan’ to Carry U.S. Flag
By Juliet Macur

Lopez Lomong was born Lopepe Lomong in a small village in Southern Sudan to Awei Lomong and Rita Namana[3]. Lomong was a victim of the Second Sudanese Civil War. A Catholic, he was abducted at age six while attending Catholic Mass and assumed dead by his family and buried in absentia.[3] He nearly died in captivity, but was helped to escape by others from his village. The four of them ran for three days until they crossed the border in Kenya.[3] Lomong spent ten years in a refugee camp near Nairobi before being moved to the United States through Catholic Charities. His name "Lopez" was a nickname from the refugee camp that he later adopted officially. Although he originally assumed his parents had been killed by the Sudan People's Liberation Army, he was reunited with his mother and family in 2003, who now live outside Nairobi[3]. He first returned to his native village in December, 2006.[3]

He was inspired to become a runner following watching Michael Johnson at the 2000 Summer Olympics on television.[3]

Lomong is one of the Lost Boys of Sudan. He was resettled in the United States through Catholic Charities with Robert and Barbara Rogers, in New York State. The Rogers have since gone on to sponsor many other Sudanese refugees. Lomong attended Tully High School in Tully, NY, entering at a 10th grade level. In high school, he helped lead the cross country and track teams to sectional and state titles, and later competed for Northern Arizona University. In 2007, Lomong was the division I NCAA indoor champion at 3000 meters and the outdoor champion at 1500 meters.

He became a naturalized citizen of the United States on July 6, 2007.

Lomong qualified for the US Olympic Team on July 6, 2008, one year after gaining his US citizenship.[4] "Now I'm not just one of the 'Lost Boys,'" he told reporters. "I'm an American."[5] [6]

After his success at the collegiate level, Lopez signed a contract with Nike and now competes professionally. He specializes in the 1500m run but is a serious contender in every mid-distance race from 800m up to and including the 5k. Lopez finished 5th in the 800m finals during the 2008 US Olympic Trials, which he ran as part of his training for the 1500m.[1]

Lomong was chosen by the team captains of the US Olympic team to carry the US flag in the Opening Ceremony at the 2008 Summer Olympics Opening Ceremony, an honor for which he campaigned. The U.S. Olympic team captains said that Lomong deserved the honor of flagbearer because he was so proud of his citizenship.[7]