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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Team USA "Beauty and the Beast" Quanitta Underwood

Quanitta "Queen" Underwood is the perfect example of "Beauty and The Beast" as one of boxings most gifted female athletes Underwood is primed to compete for the gold in the lightweight field. Underwood is ranked #4 in the world and is a 5 time National Champion. Underwood won the first U.S. Olympic boxing team trials in February but dropped a one-point decision at the world championships to Ingred Egner in Norway.  The loss jeopardized her quest for competing at the 2012 Olympics. Yet, Underwood would rise again in June when the international governing body announced her name awarding her an at-large berth in the 2012 Olympics. In a recent interview after the AIBA selected Underwood to compete in the 2012 Olympics she stated  “I now have the chance to write my own story and my winning the gold medal is now going to be the headline”. 

Born and raised in Seattle WA Queen Underwood gave a heartwarming yet emotional interview with "The New York Times". Underwood expressed the story of her and her sister Hazzauna's rough childhood growing up in Seattle WA and being sexually raped and molested.  The two sister's story is a tragic story full of unfortunate pain created by a man they trusted their father Azzad Underwood. Yet, Queen fought back rising from the ashes of despair from the terrible and traumatic childhood tragedy with help from her biggest supporter and fan her sister Hazzauna. 

Despite the rough times of her childhood and up bringing Underwood has  continued to be strong and follow her passion. Underwood said, "One day, I'm going to be the "Queen of the Ring" and nobody will ever hurt me again. One day, I won't be 12 years old and feeling helpless; one day I'll be strong and unstoppable." Her drive and determination to not be defeated in life has brought her to London for the 2012 Olympic Games. No one will ever hurt or harm Queen Underwood again. This will be the first time women's boxing will be held as an Olympic sport. 


Note: 
1.) Queen Underwood trained at the Tacoma Boxing Club in Tacoma WA
2.) Underwood trained at Cappy's Boxing Gym in Seattle WA
3.) Underwood's motto "Can't Stop, Won't Stop"
4.) Born May 9th 1984 (28 yrs old)
5.) Her goal is not only win the Gold Medal but serve as a symbol of hope to everyone who has ever been sexually abused. 

Follow U.S.A. Olympic Athlete Queen Underwood @QueenUnderwood http://twitter.com/queenunderwood


Queen Underwood NY Times Article: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/12/sports/quanitta-underwood-a-contender-for-olympic-gold-and-a-survivor.html?pagewanted=all

Follow us on Twitter @JMCSPORTSBOOK or feel free to leave a comment below
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Also listen to Clenaure Carter U.S. Sports Correspondent on Israel Sports Radio http://israelsportsradio.com/