"I'm running for the world," says Marial
Guor Marial will run under the Olympic flag in the men's Marathon on the last day of the games.
Marial moved to the United States 12 years ago after fleeing the violence in the south of Sudan.
The long-distance runner does not hold U.S. citizenship and refused an offer to represent Sudan.
But just before the games started, the IOC said Marial could run the marathon as an independent participant.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) MARATHON RUNNER GUOR MARIAL SAYING:
"Being under the Olympic flag is a great feeling it is something, a lot of people don't get that opportunity, so I feel fortunate, representing the five rings is the best thing, so I am representing the whole world basically, I can say that. Thank you."
His family is still in South Sudan and he said he was hoping they would be able to watch him race.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) MARATHON RUNNER GUOR MARIAL SAYING:
"The last time I saw my family was 1993. So mathematically, it is almost 20 years. Or 20 years I would say. In terms of whether they would watch me on TV, yes they will be able to watch me on TV. There is a local city, I would say it is about 30 miles, 60km, 50 to 60 km from where they live. They will walk there. At the moment in South Sudan, it is the raining season so there is no vehicle, plus there is no official road where the vehicle can go to the village area, so they will be able to walk to the nearest city, and they will be able to watch me on the TV."
Marial qualified last October after running faster than the Olympic qualification time.
Marial moved to the United States 12 years ago after fleeing the violence in the south of Sudan.
The long-distance runner does not hold U.S. citizenship and refused an offer to represent Sudan.
But just before the games started, the IOC said Marial could run the marathon as an independent participant.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) MARATHON RUNNER GUOR MARIAL SAYING:
"Being under the Olympic flag is a great feeling it is something, a lot of people don't get that opportunity, so I feel fortunate, representing the five rings is the best thing, so I am representing the whole world basically, I can say that. Thank you."
His family is still in South Sudan and he said he was hoping they would be able to watch him race.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) MARATHON RUNNER GUOR MARIAL SAYING:
"The last time I saw my family was 1993. So mathematically, it is almost 20 years. Or 20 years I would say. In terms of whether they would watch me on TV, yes they will be able to watch me on TV. There is a local city, I would say it is about 30 miles, 60km, 50 to 60 km from where they live. They will walk there. At the moment in South Sudan, it is the raining season so there is no vehicle, plus there is no official road where the vehicle can go to the village area, so they will be able to walk to the nearest city, and they will be able to watch me on the TV."
Marial qualified last October after running faster than the Olympic qualification time.
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