2012 U.S. Olympian Lopez Lomong headed to London

Seattle, WA (July 18, 2012) — After qualifying for the U.S. Olympic Track and Field team in the men’s 5,000 meters, former Sudan Lost Boy Lopez Lomong now has his sights set on a gold medal in London at The Summer Olympic Games. But Lomong is running for more than a medal, he is running for hope. Through a partnership between Lomong’s non-profit, 4SouthSudan and Team World Vision, a program sponsored by international Christian charity World Vision, Lomong aims to benefit the people of his home country, South Sudan.

At the age of six, Lopez was kidnapped from his Southern Sudan village and held captive for three weeks as he was being prepped as a child soldier. Too small to undergo training, his fate would most likely have been starvation. But after three weeks, he managed to escape with the help of three other captives. After running three days and nights, they were captured by Kenyan troops and brought to a refugee camp where Lopez lived for 10 years.

He was sponsored by a U.S. family and brought to this country where he soon discovered he was the fastest kid in school. At track meets he then discovered he was the fastest in the state. Soon he would become one of the fastest in the nation. In 2008, Lomong qualified for the Beijing Olympics in the men’s 1,500 meters. He was voted by his teammates as the flag bearer in the Opening Ceremonies. Four years later, the young man who had so much taken from him - wants to give something back to the children of South Sudan. Lopez will join Team World Vision at the Chicago Marathon in October, and plans to return to Africa in January of 2013.

Lomong has a book entitled “Running For My Life” (Thomas Nelson Publisher) coming out July 17.

For more information:

• 4South Sudan: Visit their website here.
• Team World Vision: Learn more about Lopez Lomong's partnership here.
• The Impact: World Vision child sponsorship programs establish sustainable, long-lasting programs in the world’s most impoverished regions. A $35/month commitment helps provide clean water, improve agricultural conditions and provides educational opportunities for children and their communities.

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About World Vision:
World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities worldwide reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. We serve the world's poor — regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender. For more information on their efforts, visit WorldVision.org/press or follow them on Twitter at @WorldVisionNews