One of a Kind - An Independent Olympic Athlete, by way of South Sudan

Guor Marial - Making strides of courage and hope !

Guor Marial, a South Sudanese track and field athlete based in the United States, will be participating in the Olympics as an independent athlete, bearing neither Sudan's flag or his home country's flag, South Sudan. He will be bearing the Olympic flag. An independent athlete, truly one of a kind!  Far beyond scrambling for a gold medal, Marial's goal for training relentlessly to qualify for the 2012 Olympic Games is to glorify and honor the 28 immediate and extended family members he lost during the civil war in Sudan. "Their spirit is what allows me to get up every single day, put on my shoes and train to honour them", says Marial, as he prepares to take off for London.

Under normal circumstances, the International Olympic Commiitee (IOC) requires athletes to be full citizens of the countries they represent, to bear the flag of that country and to participate in the Olympics under that country. Because South Sudan just recently gained its independence on July 9, 2011, time was not on their side to meet the Olympic requirements, assemble an Olympic team and be ready for London 2012. As such, a brave heart like Guor Marial decided to fight for his right to participate in the Olympics, with or without a South Sudan flag.  

And just like that, his quest to have a chance to participate in the Olympics started. First, a change.org petition was set up titled "Allow South Sudanese runner, Guor Marial to compete in the Olympics Marathon" and received 3500 signatures. Followed with a plea letter from the President of Refugee International, Michel Gabaudan addressed to Jacque Rogge, President of the IOC.

A period of silence and no decision from the IOC did not discourage Marial, as he trained even harder and met the Olympic "A" standard in October 2011, making him eligible to participate in the 2012 Olympics. But the morning of Saturday July 21, 2012 was a bright and sunny one for Marial as he learnt from the IOC just 6 days ahead of the Olympics opening ceremony that he has been granted entry into the 2012 Olympics as a stateless athlete.

Call it independent, stateless, flagless or refugee athlete, Guor Marial will be a symbol of courage, hardwork and hope to his fellow country men and women of South Sudan when he sets his footprints on the Olympic tracks this July. As for South Sudan's plans to participate in future Olympic games, that still remains an unknown "Unknown"!




Brave heart, Guor Marial trains for the Olympics



A true symbol of courage, hardwork and hope for the people of South Sudan


Even if you don't win a medal in London, you are a winner already! Bonne Chance Guor!

                             (Photos courtesy of the Washingtonpost.com and google images)