When militiamen swept into their villages on horseback in the early 1990s, shooting, burning and raping as they went, tens of thousands of young Sudanese boys were forced to flee for their lives.
They walked for hundreds of miles, many dying on the way of starvation and illness. Others were eaten by lions. But many survived, ending up in refugee camps in the near-desert plains of northern Kenya.
In 2001, nearly 4,000 of the “Lost Boys” were resettled in the United States. On Friday, one of them will have the honour of carrying the U.S. flag at the opening ceremony for the Summer Olympics in Beijing.
Lopez Lomong, who left his home in the southern Sudan in 1991 as a six-year-old boy, is now a successful middle-distance runner. Chosen by his own team mates for the honour, he says Friday will be “the most exciting day ever in my life“.
Lomong left home and lost contact with his parents at the height of Sudan’s civil war between its mainly Arab north and its largely Christian south. It was a devastating conflict, which left around two million people dead.
That conflict is now over, but the Sudanese government continues to arm tribes to do their dirty work, human rights groups say, spreading death and misery in the western region of Darfur.
China, a major investor in Sudan’s oil industry and supplier of arms, stands accused of not doing enough to press Khartoum to end the crisis in Darfur.
Beijing decided to revoke the visa of Olympic gold medallist Joey Cheek this week, who is now an activist for Darfur. But it seems it cannot silence discussion of its role in Sudan.
Lomong’s story is an inspiring one and perhaps U.S. athletes will say that is why they chose him for the honour of carrying the flag. But it could also be interpreted as a political choice, a statement to the governments of Sudan and China.
What do you think? Was it the right choice? Is it a case of crossing the line between sport and politics? If so, does it matter?
PHOTO: Lopez Lomong celebrates winning the 1500 meters at the Reebok Grand Prix athletics meet in New York May 31, 2008. REUTERS/Gary Hershorn
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Lopez Lomong is a good choice, a smack in the face to the Muslim murderers who are still running amok in the whole world including attempts to ruin these games. When will people realise that the “tribal” wars in Sudan are against Muslim terrorists against Christians and the religion of pieces is the cause of global disquiet and murder.
- Posted by Kate b“When militiamen swept into their villages on horseback in the early 1990s, shooting, burning and raping as they went, tens of thousands of young Sudanese boys were forced to flee for their lives.”
Militiamen? Not suprising that Reuters doesn’t have the guts to say that those “militiamen” where members of the “Religion of Peace”.
- Posted by KevinI find the question truly, utterly, deeply astonishing given the context. Lomong is a hero and survivor in every possible respect, and that’s the essence of America and Olympics in a nutshell. Each of us has stories of courage and heroism where we beat the odds in some way to shine a light and help make the world a better place. We believe in truth and justice and security and decency. If someone thinks any of those goals conflicts in any way with the Olympics or America or that honoring Lomong in this fashion could even be debated, I say they are so completely lost that they will never get it. In fact, this story is so awe inspiring that it’s arguably the most important story to ever come out of Olympics. The remarkable story and joy of Lomong — a U.S. citizen who narrowly escaped death at the hands of butchers — should be retold again and again generations!
- Posted by Mike[...] Is ‘Lost Boy’ Lomong the right choice to carry U.S. flag? — Simon Denyer, Reuters Olympic Blog [...]
- Posted by Nota Bene: Special 08.08.08 China Reading Assignment « PoliSci@USTInteresting choice. Reading his story it doesn’t seem to conflict with politics on the surface as he left Sudan in the early 90s, but I’m sure people will be thinking about Sudan when he is announced. Regardless, is there any Chinese reaction to this besides people telling me what the Chinese think?
- Posted by Kev RicardoWhat is wrong with Lomong representing the USA, that is his new adopted country and there is nothing political about it. He is a world citizen and can represent any country that gives him hope and chance in life, what did Bashir and his gang of butchers ever do for him, nothing but misery and war. Good luck to Lomong
- Posted by Nduka TolefePOOR AMERICA …THEY ARE LOSSING ALL THE WAY ..HAHAHA GOOD FOR THEM …GO BEIJING GO
- Posted by dudesThanks for all the responses.
- Posted by Simon DenyerI should probably add that when I heard Lomong had been selected, my reaction was of excitement. Not for any political reason, but just because the story of the “Lost Boys” is so moving.
I covered the conflict in Sudan for Reuters in the late 1990s, and saw at first hand the misery it caused. So for one of these boys to carry the U.S. flag seems incredible.
I also just read Dave Eggers book “What is the What” which brought back a lot of memories of Sudan. I’d recommend it to anyone interested in the Lost Boys.
Best choice for athletes muzzled by their ambitions, their sponsors, and their teams. I’m pleased they did this. If China can’t get over herself with all this faux honor too bad.
“Politics” is not the same as funding a genocide my friend.
But if you want to take our outgoing president and his cronies and prosecute them, as we don’ t seem to be able to, feel free to give it a try.
- Posted by cooperIts too much for my taste, Bluesville says Lomong “epitomises the American dream and the Olympic spirit”.
I’m just glad someone survived in one of the many nasty wars America has been involved in since 1945, turning many countries bad for a long time (like China 1945-75, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, North Korea, Panama, Nicaragua, Sudan, Afganistan, Palestine, Lebanon and others).
Lomong shows it takes more than one generation to be able to get on with your life normally after the US military has ’secured’ your neighborhood.
- Posted by TheBigGameThe guy epitimoses both the American dream and the Olympic spirit. Doesn’t that make him the perfect choice for such a symbolic role?
- Posted by SimonI understand why this man was chosen to carry the flag:to embarass China and make a subtle political statement. one thing though, was China a majoy player in Sudanese politics in early 1990s? no,the West was. is China the biggest player in Sudanese politics NOW? a resounding NO if you take a moment to analyze the numbers of investment, oil deals by different countries in Sudan.France, US are leading the league.
So, if this violence has been going on for decades when the West has been running things, and if China is a mojar but not biggest player in Sudanese politics, who should the western pulic and media outlets really blame for the mess?
Call me a brainwashed apologist, which I am not, but do show the decency of fair-play by pinpointing the mistakes and errors, if any, in my logic and reasoning.
- Posted by BluesvilleI support my country-China! Because I am Chinese! With 5000 years old history, China sacrifice the whole world too many things, including papers, powders and so on. Although my country has encountered ups and downs for too many times, this nation never say give-up and never will do that.
- Posted by JustinI’m proud to be a Chinese, and proud to live in China! With our efforts, I trully believe China will be the greatest country over the world!
It is absolutely the right choice. The only other better choice would be a Tibetian or maybe a Tiawianese to carry the US flag.
China is a corrupt COMMUNIST DICTATORSHIP and here’s hoping the exposure from the Great Chinese Communist Olympic Games will cause the world to bring some pressure on the Chinese government to make some social changes.
- Posted by NealThe Chinese government’s hypocrisy will be exposed whether they like it or not. They have proved throughout this whole process that they are not willing to admit their injustice or move toward reform.
- Posted by Peter S.Crossing the line between sport and politics? He would be a great choice if the Olympics were in London, Tokyo, or Abu Dhabi. His success is a wonderful story and it makes me proud to be an American to see him succeed so wonderfully. He is living the American dream and his teammates have correctly chosen him to represent our nation.
- Posted by tomThis will be a great embarrassment to the Chinese government and as much as I love my country and the Olympics, I’m gonna fall out with a grand mal seizure when China starts finding ways to expel our atheletes out of China. We should have learned by now to not under-estimate China’s ability to crack down on protestors. We should have kept politics out of it and chose a person who is Chinese-American to represent our country so it could show our diversity to bring the games to them with one of their ex-citizens leading the way.
- Posted by MarkNothing could be better. Run, Lomong run. You’re not lost anymore.
- Posted by Peter N MilliganAbsolutely the best choice of athlete to carry the American flag at the Olympic opening ceremonies. It has been my pleasure to be associated with 50 of these young men in San Jose, CA. These young men are amazing survivors who overcame adversities and miseries to become proud American citizens. They are an example of hope and courage to all American refugees. I am so proud to have been a part of their progress in America. Way to go United States Olympic Committee. You could not have chosen a more appropriate and deserving representative. It is my sincerest hope, that the political implications of the USOC’s choice can be profound for the relief of the persecuted of Darfur.
- Posted by bobbie mckennaI don’t understand the US team at all. They’re in China because they insist that sports and politics shouldn’t mix, yet they chose a flag bearer to contradict that statement. Either there’s no politics in sports or there is, you can’t have it both ways. If they think the 2 should mix, then why are they there in the first place? They should’ve just stayed home. I supposed they needed to go because they want their moment in the sun, for their sponsors and endorsement $$$$, but then choose this flag bearer to show how magnanimous they are, who cares if the host thinks it’s an insult. It’s so hypocritical!
In any case I hope Lopez Lomong has a good agent coz he should know it’s time to cash in. It’s the American way.
- Posted by AB