Distance runner Guor Marial has called New Hampshire his home for 11 years. But after qualifying for the London Olympics, he had no home country to represent. The refugee isn’t a U.S. citizen, and couldn’t run for South Sudan. The world’s newest country wasn’t sending a team.
But with the helpof Senator Jeanne Shaheen, Marial was allowed to run as an independent athlete in the marathon, where he finished 47th.
"The moment there was about the people I was representing," Marial told reporters. "Even whether I would win a gold or be the last person. It was a moment for South Sudanese people, it was a moment for the refugees, and it was a moment for New Hampshire and the United States."
Senator Shaheen praised not only Marials’ talent, but also his strength of character.
The 28-year old was a star runner at Concord High School, and an all-American at Iowa State. He trains in Arizona.
