Mid-distance runner Lomong elected flag bearer for United States
7/8/2008 17:12
The United States Olympic Committee (USOC) announced late yesterday that
track and field athlete Lopez Lomong has been selected as flag bearer for the US
Olympic Team by fellow members of Team USA.
Sudan-born Lomong, 23, was
notified of his selection last night via phone in Dalian, Northeast China, where
he is training with the US Olympic Track & Field Team.
"This is the most
exciting day ever in my life," Lomong said. "It's a great honor for me that my
teammates chose to vote for me. The Opening Ceremony is the best day and the
best moment of Olympic life. I'm in Beijing as an ambassador of my country and I
will do everything I can to represent my country well."
To select the flag
bearer, US captains from each sport met in the Olympic Village last night, in
person and via conference call for those not yet in Beijing. Any captain was
able to bring forward a nominee from any sport. After the nominations and a
discussion period, the athletes voted, selecting Lomong.
"The American flag
means everything in my life, everything that describes me, coming from another
country and going through all of the stages that I have to become a US citizen,"
Lomong said.
"This is another amazing step for me in celebrating being an
American. Seeing my fellow Americans coming behind me (in the Opening Ceremony)
and supporting me will be a great honor, the highest honor. It's just a happy
day. I don't even have the words to describe how happy I am," he added.
He
will compete in the 1,500 meters in Beijing in what is his first international
appearance.
Lomong, attending the Northern Arizona University where he won
the 2007 NCAA outdoor 1,500 meter title and the 2007 NCAA indoor 3,000 meter
title, finished third at the 2008 US Olympic Team Trials for Track & Field
in Eugene, Oregan, with a time of 3:41.00.
Xinhua
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