Olympics

Lopez Lomong Recalls His Journey to America

Posted Aug 09, 2008 5:55PM By Michael David Smith (RSS feed)

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Eight years ago, Lopez Lomong had escaped the Sudan and was living in a refugee camp in Kenya when he heard about the Olympic Games. Wanting to see the Games, he walked five miles to the nearest television, where he saw American Michael Johnson win the 400-meter dash. He tells his story:

"I want to be as fast as that guy," Lomong recalled thinking upon seeing the Olympics. "And that's what inspired me from that point on. I want to run as fast as that guy and I want to run for that country."

Lomong later left the refugee camp, came to America, became an American citizen and began running for Team USA. He was chosen as the American flag bearer for yesterday's opening ceremony.

While host country China's support of the Sudanese government is shameful, Americans can be proud that our country has welcomed Lomong.

"I am so happy," Lomong said. "I'm so proud to be an American."

Tags: Lopez+Lomong, LopezLomong, Michael+Johnson, MichaelJohnson

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

8-11-2008 @ 5:52AM

frank said...

disgraceful, a REAL natural born american should be carrying our flag!!

8-11-2008 @ 9:56AM

oscardee said...

This country was founded by those escaping persecution. He's an excellent representation of what the USA is about. For the unenlightened "americans", the only "natural" american is a native american.

8-11-2008 @ 10:13AM

JMS Vigo said...

A name like Frank I know your an Anglo. Who cares what race or where u come from as long as your living in the US for many years you should be proud to carry The AMERICAN Flag....Go, USA!!!!

8-11-2008 @ 11:21AM

jar said...

hey frank, i doubt your a real american!

8-11-2008 @ 11:32AM

steve said...

frank, your a disgrace... what a moron. i think a lot of Americans are proud of this story.

8-11-2008 @ 12:57PM

Josette said...

Many of us who came here from another country and became "American Citizens", its the first time in our lives that we ever felt pride. We feel free, we feel that there is no place else we would rather be, and therefore we bust our asses to show our gratitude to this country and that is what it is all about. I LOVE YOU AMERICA!!! and I am proud to be an American (and I was not born here).

8-11-2008 @ 3:01PM

GARDEN said...

frank you want a real american. races were killed to make room for the new people. give it a rest. where did your parents come from. If you are not an Native American guess what.
you came from another country.

8-12-2008 @ 12:13AM

jan said...

Frank,
It's people like you that embarass our country! H.e shows more pride than you.

8-12-2008 @ 1:45AM

SHAR said...

WHAT AN INCREDIBLE STORY. WHAT A FEAT TO BE CHOSEN TO CARRY OUR AMERICAN FLAG. I AM GLAD THAT YOU ARE PROUD TO BE AMERICAN. WE HAVE MANY IN OUR COUNTRY THAT ARE NOT PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN AND IT IS A SHAME. YOU SEEM TO APPRECIATE WHAT OUR GREAT COUNTRY HAS GIVEN YOU. I WISH YOU WELL IN THE GAMES.

8-12-2008 @ 3:34AM

Ashanti said...

It's closed minded people like you frank that hinders our society and enables the children of our future to become bigots,and self-righteous!! It was once said that ..a man is considered to be intelligent until he opens his mouth!! How about that Frank?

8-12-2008 @ 7:34AM

jessica said...

My daughter is friends with Lopez. He is the epitomy of what this country stands for. He is a remarkable young man. In my point of view he represents freedom. With what this young man has witnessed in his life and to be able to overcome all of that and work his butt off to achieve his dream is what this country is about! All of you saying these nasty things need to remember that your ancestors were immigrants. He is just merely achieving the american dream. Some of us don't even dare to have goals anymore let alone reach them! Kudos to Lopez

8-14-2008 @ 10:59AM

Ali said...

Iam proud of MR LOPEZ by carrying the American Flag---.But lets not forget there is another person who is running 10,000m for USA,who has the same experience like MR Lopez--his name is Abdi Abdirahman--originally from Somalia.We are also proud of MR Abdi Abdirahman--who ran away from the civil war that killed many of his people.