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United States Lopez Lomong

Photo of Lopez Lomong
  • Birthdate: January 01, 1985
  • Weight: 150 lbs (68 kg)
  • Height: 5’10” (1.80 m)
  • Age: 28 years
  • Gender: Male

Athlete Medal Count

  • Gold 0
  • Silver 0
  • Bronze 0
  • Total 0
United States Athletes »

Athlete Events

Track & Field
Track & Field Events
DateRoundResult
08/17Men's 1500m Semifinal3:41.00 (22nd)
08/17Men's 1500m Semifinal - Heat 13:41.00 (12nd)
08/15Men's 1500m Round 13:36.70 (18th - Qualified)
08/15Men's 1500m Round 1 - Heat 33:36.70 (5th - Qualified)

Athlete Profile

  • Jan. 1, 1985, Sudan
  • Third at 2008 Olympic Trials; 2007 NCAA Outdoor 1,500m champion; 2007 NCAA Indoor 3,000m champion; third at 2007 NCAA Cross Country Championships.
  • Lomong has overcome an array of obstacles to becoming a top American middle distance runner. In 1991 when he was six years old, his family fled Kimotong, Sudan, on foot to avoid an attack by the militia group. Lomong and his family ran for three days in the African wilderness to avoid the attackers. After being separated from his family upon arrival at the Sudan-Kenya border, he lived in a refugee camp run by Catholic missionaries for 10 years. Despite being separated from his family, Lomong says he is considered one of the lucky children as thousands of boys drowned, were eaten by wild animals or were shot by military forces. An essay that he wrote in 2001 about what he would strive to accomplish if he lived in America prompted officials to give him that chance. Lomong was moved to the U.S. to live with a foster family in Tully, N.Y.
  • Lomong became a star middle distance runner at Northern Arizona. He enjoyed his best year in 2007, winning the NCAA Indoor 3,000m title by upsetting two-time NCAA champion Chris Solinsky in 7:49.74, and taking the NCAA Outdoor 1,500m crown in 3:37.07.
  • He set a personal best and school record with a time of 1:45.79 to place fifth at the 800m in the 2007 AT&T USA Track and Field Championships, and he was named NCAA Mountain Region Male Track Athlete of the year by the USTFCCCA.
  • Lomong, who turned pro after the 2007 NCAA Cross Country Championships, says his dream is to represent the United States in international competition. It's his way of thanking those who have helped him. "I came to this country without expecting anything," Lomong said. "Now I want to return the favor by being a good runner."
  • Away from the track, Lomong is studying hotel management because he hopes to return to Africa to help revitalize the continent's tourism. He also wants to assist families confronted with multiple challenges in his home country.
  • Northern Arizona
  • 800m
  • 5-foot-11

Overall Medal Count

Presented by Chevrolet
Overall Medal Count
Rank Country Gold Silver Bronze Total
1 Flag of United States 36 38 36 110
2 Flag of China 51 21 28 100
3 Flag of Russia 23 21 28 72
4 Flag of Britain 19 13 15 47
5 Flag of Australia 14 15 17 46
6 Flag of Germany 16 10 15 41
7 Flag of France 7 16 17 40
8 Flag of South Korea 13 10 8 31
Full Medal Count »

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