The Journey of Lopez Lomong
By Guest Blogger Bo Durkop
Lopez Lomong of Sudan has come a long way to make it to the Olympics, and in more ways than one. His inspiring journey is one that has inspired all who have heard it. As a six year old boy, Lomong was separated from his parents, kidnapped by a government-backed militia, and was taken to a work camp.
Lomong remained there before being adopted by the family in upstate New York.
Among some of his favorite memories with the American family he calls his own are of weekends watching cartoons.
“I watched a lot of Tom and Jerry on the Cartoon Network,” he said recently. “I would watch it every Sunday. It was so much fun how they used to try to trick each other or maybe try to punish each other and chasing each other down.”
Sixteen years later, it is an all together different sort of pursuit that had brought Lomong to the 2008 Beijing Olympics games. Here, instead of the many burdens he bore as a child, he carried the US flag during the Parade of Nations in the opening ceremonies.
As a runner, Lomong has emerged as a college and professional track star. In the Olympics, he hopes to shine in the 1,500-meter run.
Tags: 2008 olympics, Beijing, Beijing Olympics, Light the Torch, lopez lomong, Olympics, sports, Summer Olympics, Track and FieldRelated Stories
POSTED IN: Beijing 2008, Olympians, Summer Olympics, Track and Field
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