London 2012 Olympics: Refugee to represent whole world

A REFUGEE runner without a country will represent the whole world in the London 2012 marathon after surviving a war-torn childhood and being separated from his family.

Showing true Olympic spirit, Guor Marial received a round of applause at a press conference after telling his incredible story of beating all the odds to be able to compete in Sunday’s showcase event. The 28-year-old, from South Sudan, fled his country and has not seen his family for almost 20 years. But he said they will walk 37 miles in the African sun to get to the nearest town with a TV to watch him compete under the Olympic flag.

Marial, who now lives in the US, has dedicated his run to refugees worldwide.