39 Facts About Lopez Lomong

Lopez Lomong was born on January 5,1985 and is a South Sudanese-born American track and field athlete.

Lopez Lomong was the flag bearer for the United States during the 2008 Summer Olympics Opening Ceremony.

Lopez Lomong is currently a member of Team Darfur, a group of athletes urging China to exert pressure on the Sudanese government to address the War in Darfur.

Lopez Lomong's autobiography, Running for My Life, was published in 2012, co-written with Mark Tabb.

Lopez Lomong was born Lopepe Lomong in Kimotong, an ethnic Buya village in Budi County, Namorunyang State, South Sudan to Awei Lomong and Rita Namana.

Lopez Lomong was a victim of the Second Sudanese Civil War.

Lopez Lomong nearly died in captivity, but was helped to escape by others from his village.

Lopez Lomong spent ten years in the Kakuma refugee camp in Turkana County, northeastern Kenya before being moved to the United States through the Unaccompanied Refugee Minor program by Toomey Residential and Community Services.

Lopez Lomong's name "Lopez" was a nickname from the refugee camp that he later adopted officially.

Lopez Lomong was inspired to become a runner after watching Michael Johnson at the 2000 Summer Olympics on television.

Lopez Lomong was resettled in the United States in 2001 through the Unaccompanied Refugee Minor program with Robert and Barbara Rogers, in New York State.

Lopez Lomong attended Tully High School in Tully, NY, entering at a 10th grade level.

In 2007, Lopez Lomong was the division I NCAA indoor champion at 3000 meters and the outdoor champion at 1500 meters while competing for Northern Arizona.

Lopez Lomong became a naturalized citizen of the United States on July 6,2007.

Lopez Lomong first returned to his native village of Kimotong in December 2006.

Lopez Lomong returned to Sudan again in 2008 with an organization called Sudan Sunrise to begin construction of the Lopez Lomong School and Reconciliation Church.

Lopez Lomong specializes in the 1500m run but is a serious contender in every mid-distance race from 800m up to and including the 5k.

Lopez Lomong finished 5th in the 800m finals during the 2008 US Olympic Trials, which he ran as part of his training for the 1500m.

Lopez Lomong was chosen by the team captains of the US Olympic team to carry the US flag in the Opening Ceremony at the 2008 Summer Olympics Opening Ceremony.

The US Olympic team captains said that Lopez Lomong deserved the honor of flagbearer because he was so proud of his citizenship.

Lopez Lomong was eliminated in the semifinals of the 1500 at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.

Lopez Lomong won his first national title when he finished first in the 1500 at the 2009 USA Outdoor Championships in 3:41.68.

Lopez Lomong ran a career best of 3:32.94 that year in the 1500.

In June 2010, Lopez Lomong repeated as men's champion by winning the 1500 at the 2010 USA Outdoor Championships in a highly tactical race.

Lopez Lomong ran the final 400 meters of that race in 51.29 seconds.

Later in the summer of 2010, Lopez Lomong lowered his personal best at 1500 meters down to 3:32.20 at the Diamond League meeting in Monaco.

Lopez Lomong secured a slot for the 5000m finals after winning his preliminary heat in 13:42.81, just ahead of American record holder Bernard Lagat.

London Olympics On August 8,2012, Lopez Lomong placed 4th in his preliminary heat to qualify for the 5000m finals.

Lopez Lomong was part of a strong American performance, with fellow countrymen Bernard Lagat and Galen Rupp placing 4th and 7th, respectively.

Lopez Lomong participated in the NYRR Men's Wanamaker Mile at the 2013 Millrose Games.

Lopez Lomong won the race in a personal best time of 3:51.21, just ahead of Matthew Centrowitz, a decorated 1500m man.

Lopez Lomong's time beat the previous Armory track record of 3:53.92 which had just been set in 2012 by Centrowitz as well as the Millrose record of 3:52.87 set by Bernard Lagat.

Lopez Lomong surpassed the previous indoor 5000m American Record held by Bernard Lagat at the Armory's last chance meet with a time of 13:07.00.

Lopez Lomong won the 1500 metres in 3:43.09 at the USA Indoor Track and Field Championships at the Albuquerque Convention Center in New Mexico.

Lopez Lomong finished 18th in the 1500 meters on March 7,2014 at the 2014 IAAF World Indoor Championships.

In May 2017 Lopez Lomong served as a pacer for Nike's Breaking2 attempt at achieving a sub-2-hour marathon time.

On July 4, Lopez Lomong placed 5th in 28:59 at 2018 Peachtree Road Race.

Lopez Lomong repeated as 10,000 metres national champion at the 2019 USATF Outdoor Championship.

Lopez Lomong finished first in the 5000 metres as well, becoming the first to double in the two national championship events since 2012.