Guor Marial the Olympic Athlete Without a Country

Imagine competing in the Olympics realizing your dreams, being awarded for your achievements, hosting the flag of your country high above the rest, you are the best in the world. For many Olympians competing for national pride is an extra bonus an extra shot of adrenaline that pushes you to be the best. You compete not just for yourself but for the pride of your countrymen. 


Now imagine competing in the Olympics with no flag, no countrymen, no President or Prime Minister to meet and shake hands with. Not being able to display pride to the country you belong to, your flag not hoisted high above the rest. For Sudanese refugee Guor Marial the case is surreal its an unfortunate story. Marial who met the Olympic qualifying time of 2 hours, 14 minutes and 32 seconds at the 2011 Twin Cities Marathon. 


Attending Iowa State University he was eligible to become a U.S. Citizen. He mentions by all accounts that "Technically, I was supposed to be a citizen last June, because I did everything, I did my citizen test, I did my interview, I did my fingerprints, and everything was all set. All I needed to do was to go to their office and get my passport and do the ceremony. That was in June 2011, but there has been a security background check...and that's what took everything longer," He has lived in the U.S. for over 11 years. His currently a permanent resident but without full citizenship he is not allowed to represent the Red, White and Blue. 

Marial was born in the newly formed Republic of South Sudan, an independent country without an established National Olympic Committee. Countries must an established National Olympic Committee  per IOC requirement to compete in the Olympic Games.


Unfortunately with no country to represent, Marial began petitioning the IOC to run as an independent participant under the Olympic flag. In an New York Times interview Marial stated "It would be great for the people of South Sudan for me to run as an independent, And the U.S. because that's where I discovered running. It would be great for the whole world."


As a child in Sudan Marial ran to escape a Sudanese child labor camp. Hiding in caves to escape the war torn country, Marial would finally arrive to his destination in America.  Marial say's he is excited to be competing in the Olympics quoting to the Associated Press that  "The voice of South Sudan has been heard," "The South Sudan has finally got a spot in the world community. Even though I will not carry their flag in this Olympic Games, the country itself is there."The dream has come true. The hope of South Sudan is alive."

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