August 9, 2008
Paterson, America Celebrate Local Lost Boy Flag Bearer
Last night during the opening ceremonies in Beijing, the U.S. flag was carried by Lopez Lomong, one of the "Lost Boys of Sudan" who now hails from the upstate town Tully, NY. Governor Paterson issued a statement on his web site praising Lomong for not only "the joy and dedication he brings to the sport, but because of the amazing story of how he came to represent our State and Nation." Lomong is one of 75 other Olympians part of a group called Team Darfur that seeks increased recognition of the situation in his homeland. Once having fled from bullets all the way across the Sudanese border to Kenya, he will run in the 1500-meter event in Beijing.
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WTF? Couldn't we at least have our flag carried by a native citizen? Is Mr. Lomong a US citizen at all?
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I'll answer my own question... Mr Lamong became a US citizen a little over a year ago.
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Yeah, he was adopted by a family in Tully, in Central NY. It's an amazing story--an LA Times columnist wrote about him, too.
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Amazing story.
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He was chosen by the U.S. team captains to carry the U.S. flag. This was a great move, since China denied giving a visa to the pres. of Team Darfur.
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To those who are active running fans, Lomong is not exactly a fan favorite. He's been known to whine at meets, and is rather cocky. There's nothing wrong with the latter, as it's a trait in many athletes, but it's off putting to me.
Lomong was a poor choice in my eyes, as his character and personality don't represent American values. His story is great, undeniably, but that doesn't excuse his behavior at track and XC meets. Leo Manzano, a fellow 1500m runner, has equally as good of a "story" and has been a fan favorite in the sport.
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It's a jab at the chinese government for supporting the murderous regime of President Bashir. The chinese don't like to rock the boat but they seem to be stirring, on Sudan and on Iran. Maybe they're really worried that another U.S. war somewhere would lower the value of all those Treasuries that they hold. Call me a cynic.