Sudanese community honors its Olympian
Monday, September 08, 2008
By Maureen Sieh
Urban affairs editor Fortunato Longok remembers when he and his cousin, Lopez Lomong, raced around a Kenyan refugee camp where they both lived for 10 years before finding a home in 2001 in Central New York.
Longok said he never dreamed that Lomong was preparing for a career in running, nor that Lomong would take his running all the way to the Olympics.
Longok was among 50 members of the local Sudanese community who gathered at the Northside CYO to honor Lomong, one of the "Lost Boys" of Sudan, who represented the United States at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing and led the U.S. Olympic team during the opening ceremonies.
"I didn't think there was a future in running," said Longok, 26, of Syracuse. "It's unbelievable. He's inspired me to see my future is bright. If he can do something like that, I will succeed."
One by one, community members talked about how Lomong's success has drawn attention to the plight of southern Sudan and inspired young people to follow their dreams. After all the speeches, the crowd ate traditional Sudanese dinner featuring a spinach and okra dish, goat meat, chicken and corn.
Rosa Apit, who settled in Syracuse seven years ago, said the Sudanese community is proud that one of its own has made a big impact in America and the world.
The Sudanese community in Syracuse, she said, is like Lomong's biological family.
"We feel like he didn't have his mother and sisters here, so we're his family," she said. "When we saw him carry the flag, we didn't say, 'He's carrying the American flag. We said, 'He's carrying our flag.' "
The Rev. Darius Oliha Makuga, a native of Sudan who is a visiting professor at Le Moyne College, introduced Lomong.
He talked about how the former Tully track and cross-country star grew up in the southern Sudan village of Boya, and how Lomong ended up in Central New York after fleeing the war in Sudan and living in a refugee camp. Lomong was 6 when he was arrested at gunpoint by government soldiers recruiting children to fight in the Sudanese army.
Makuga praised Robert and Barbara Rogers, the couple who took Lomong and five other young men into their home on Otisco Lake. The Rogerses, he said, always welcomed the Sudanese community into their home for traditional celebrations.
He praised Lomong for his accomplishments and talked about the sense of pride the Sudanese community felt when he carried the U.S. flag into the 91,000-seat Bird's Nest Stadium in Beijing.
Lomong is an inspiration to people because he accomplished his dream through discipline and hard work.
"You've made us proud; you've made us known to the rest of the world," Makuga said. "We're proud of you as a star athlete, a role model for immigrants trying to start a life in America. (You) have given hope to the young men and women of Sudan who are trying to secure peace."
Ohure Sam, 17, one of the Rogerses' six foster sons, also said Lomong is an inspiration. Lomong, he said, has been talking to him about college and encouraging him to work on his running. Sam runs track and cross-country at Tully High School.
"He's a star; he did big things," said Obang Okor, 15, another of the Rogerses' foster sons who plays soccer at Tully High School. "I'm proud of him. It's amazing to have an Olympian in your house. He tells me that if I have to do something, I can do it. I still have a future."
Lomong said it was good to celebrate his accomplishments with the Sudanese family.
He told the crowd about his plan to improve health care and education in his village by building a library and a clinic.
He said he's glad to be a role model for young people.
"I think it's good to be setting up the way for other people to follow your path, especially the young people who don't think there's a way," he said. "My story will inspire people."
Maureen Sieh can be reached at msieh@syracuse.com or 470-2159
