A marathon runner who was born in what is now South Sudan made his debut in the London Olympics over the weekend and completed the race, competing as an independent athlete under the Olympic flag.
South Sudan, which broke away from Sudan last year, is not yet recognized by the International Olympic Committee.
But Guor Marial, 28, fled Sudan to escape civil war and currently lives in the United States, in Arizona. He is not a citizen of the United States, but has refugee status and holds a green card. He also is not a citizen of South Sudan.
Marial, who said more than two dozen of his relatives were killed in the civil war, finished 47th in the marathon.
“I made it through because of all the support of the people of South Sudan,” he told The Globe and Mail newspaper.
“For sure they were proud of me and I am proud of them. They never disappoint me. Finishing, that was more important and I finished. That was what I was hoping for.”
The IOC wanted him at first to run for Sudan, but he refused, saying that the Sudanese government under President Omar al-Bashir, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court for war crimes, killed many members of his family.
But in a phone interview with The Wall Street Journal before leaving for the Games, he said: “I cannot put what happened to my family against these athletes from Sudan. They are my people and a friend to us. I will talk to them like they are my team and not carry anything against them.”
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