Lomong chosen as US flagbearer for Beijing Games
DALIAN, China (AP)—Eight years ago, Lopez Lomong didn’t even have a country. Now he’ll be carrying the flag for his adopted nation, leading the U.S. Olympic team at opening ceremonies Friday night.
Lomong, one of the Lost Boys of Sudan, won a vote of team captains Wednesday to earn the honor of leading America’s contingent into the 90,000-seat Bird’s Nest Stadium.
The 1,500-meter track runner will be the flagbearer only 13 months after becoming a U.S. citizen.
“It’s more than a dream,” Lomong said in an interview with The Associated Press moments after he got the news. “I keep saying, I’m not sure if this is true or not true. I’m making the team and now I’m the first guy coming to the stadium and the whole world will be watching me carry the flag. There are no words to describe it.”
He was born in Sudan, separated from his parents at the point of a gun at age 6, and with the help of friends, he escaped confinement and made it to a refugee camp in Kenya. In 2001, he was brought to America as part of a program to relocate lost children from war-torn Sudan.
Earlier this week, the 23-year-old Lomong said he was mounting a campaign to be nominated by the track and field team for the flagbearer’s position. He said the honor would be memorable, but he also was thrilled to be part of the democratic process that might get him there.
http://sports.yahoo.com/olympics/news?s ... &type=lgns
NAU's Lomong chosen as Olympic Flag Bearer
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Col Hogan
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Re: NAU's Lomong chosen as Olympic Flag Bearer
Outstanding!!!!
An honor for him...that NAU can share...
An honor for him...that NAU can share...
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Malo periculosam, libertatem quam quietam servitutem.
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Re: NAU's Lomong chosen as Olympic Flag Bearer
That's awesome....
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Re: NAU's Lomong chosen as Olympic Flag Bearer
Lomong, Lagat move on to 1500-meter semis; race next on Sunday
By DAILY SUN STAFF
Friday, August 15, 2008
Former NAU track standout Lopez Lomong advanced out of his qualifying heat in the 1500-meter run today at the Beijing Olympics. Lomong finished fifth in the third heat with a time of 3:36.70.
American Bernard Lagat, who also trained at Center for High Altitude Training at NAU along with Lomong, qualified from the second heat in a time of 3:41.98. Leonel Manzano, also of the United States, qualified by time with a 3:26.67 in the first heat. Rashid Ramzi of Bahrain posted the fastest time from all of the heats with a 3:32.89.
Both Lomong and Lagat earned spots in Sunday's semifinals by virtue of where they placed in their respective heats. The 1500-meter finals are scheduled for Tuesday.
By DAILY SUN STAFF
Friday, August 15, 2008
Former NAU track standout Lopez Lomong advanced out of his qualifying heat in the 1500-meter run today at the Beijing Olympics. Lomong finished fifth in the third heat with a time of 3:36.70.
American Bernard Lagat, who also trained at Center for High Altitude Training at NAU along with Lomong, qualified from the second heat in a time of 3:41.98. Leonel Manzano, also of the United States, qualified by time with a 3:26.67 in the first heat. Rashid Ramzi of Bahrain posted the fastest time from all of the heats with a 3:32.89.
Both Lomong and Lagat earned spots in Sunday's semifinals by virtue of where they placed in their respective heats. The 1500-meter finals are scheduled for Tuesday.
