Lopez Lomong

Lopez Lomong (born January 5, 1985) is a South Sudanese-born American track and field athlete. Lomong, one of the Lost Boys of Sudan, came to the United States at the age of 16 and became a U.S. citizen in 2007.

Lomong qualified for the 2008 Summer Olympics in the 1500 meters at the United States Olympic track and field trials in Eugene, Oregon. He was the flag bearer for the United States during the 2008 Summer Olympics Opening Ceremony.

He is currently a member of Team Darfur, a group of athletes urging China to exert pressure on the Sudanese government to address the War in Darfur. Lomong's autobiography, Running for My Life, was published in 2012, co-written with Mark Tabb.

Biography Lopez Lomong was born Lopepe Lomong in Kimotong, an ethnic Buya village in Budi County, Namorunyang State, South Sudan to Awei Lomong and Rita Namana. Lomong's actual birthdate is January 5, 1985, but like all Lost Boys who came to the United States without paperwork, his official birthday is listed as January 1. Lopez Lomong and his family belong to the Buya (also spelled Boya) ethnic group of southeastern South Sudan, who speak the Laarim language. In early 2009 he traveled back to bring his younger brothers, Alex and Peter, back to the United States to attend school at Fork Union Military Academy.

2008 Summer Olympics Lomong qualified for the US Olympic Team on July 6, 2008, one year after gaining his US citizenship. "Now I'm not just one of the 'Lost Boys,'" he told reporters. "I'm an American."

After his success at the collegiate level, Lopez signed a contract with Nike and began competing professionally. He specializes in the 1500m run but is a serious contender in every mid-distance race from 800m up to and including the 5k. Lopez finished 5th in the 800m finals during the 2008 US Olympic Trials, which he ran as part of his training for the 1500m.

Lopez is a member of Team Darfur. In the weeks leading up to the Olympics Lomong spoke often about the need to raise awareness for the violence in Darfur. Since his selection as flagbearer he has been careful not to criticize China directly, choosing instead to focus on the inspirational side of his story. "I'm here to compete for my country," Lomong told reporters when they asked questions about human rights. "The Olympics are supposed to bring people together to peacefully blend and I'm looking forward to that and stepping on the track and wearing my colors and representing my country." With reference to China specifically, Lomong answered "Chinese people have been great putting all these things together. It's great being here." Lomong continued his success at the 2012 US Olympic Track & Field Trials. He secured a slot for the 5000m finals after winning his preliminary heat in 13:42.81, just ahead of American record holder Bernard Lagat (13:42.83). In the finals, he placed 3rd behind winner Galen Rupp and runner up Bernard Lagat to secure a spot on his second Olympic team. In the final, which took place on August 11, 2012, he finished in 10th place. Lomong was part of a strong American performance, with fellow countrymen Bernard Lagat and Galen Rupp placing 4th and 7th, respectively.

2013 Lomong participated in the NYRR Men's Wanamaker Mile at the 2013 Millrose Games. He won the race in a personal best time of 3:51.21, just ahead of Matthew Centrowitz, a decorated 1500m man. Lomong's time beat the previous Armory track record of 3:53.92 which had just been set in 2012 by Centrowitz as well as the Millrose record of 3:52.87 set by Bernard Lagat. Lomong surpassed the previous indoor 5000m American Record held by Bernard Lagat at the Armory's last chance meet with a time of 13:07.00.

2014 Lomong won the 1500 metres in 3:43.09 at the USA Indoor Track and Field Championships at the Albuquerque Convention Center in New Mexico.

Lomong finished 18th in the 1500 meters on March 7, 2014 at the 2014 IAAF World Indoor Championships.

Lopez finished 3rd running 3:39.11 at USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Sacramento, California on June 28.

2015 On March 1, Lomong finished 8th in the mile at USATF Indoor Championships hosted at the Reggie Lewis Center, Boston, MA.

In June, Lomong finished 6th in 13:53.64 in 5000 meter at USATF Outdoor Championships hosted at Hayward Field, Eugene, Oregon.

On August 8, Lomong won the 5000 meter NACAC 2015 Senior Championships hosted at Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica, San Jose, Costa Rica.

2017 In May 2017 Lomong served as a pacer for Nike's Breaking2 attempt at achieving a sub-2-hour marathon time.

2018 In June, Lomong won the USATF Outdoor Championship in the 10,000 metres at Drake Stadium, Des Moines, Iowa.

On July 4, Lopez Lomong placed 5th in 28:59 at 2018 Peachtree Road Race.

On August 3, Lomong won 2018 Sir Walter Miler in 3:53.86 in the same race John Gregorek Jr., Sam Prakel, Patrick Casey, Ben Blankenship, Craig Engels, Sean McGorty, Hassan Mead, Charlie Marquardt, Robert Domanic, Graham Crawford, Jacob Thomson, Cristian Soratos ran under 4:00.

2019 Lomong repeated as 10,000 metres national champion at the 2019 USATF Outdoor Championship. He finished first in the 5000 metres as well, becoming the first to double in the two national championship events since 2012.