Posted on 08/06/2008 12:26:35 PM PDT by Pyro7480
BEIJING (Reuters) - The United States chose former Sudanese refugee Lopez Lomong to carry their flag at Friday’s Olympic opening ceremony in a move that could embarrass Sudan and its ally China.
Lomong, who spent 10 years in a refugee camp after fleeing his native Sudan as a child, was given the honor after a vote by the team captains of the entire U.S. Olympic squad.
“This is the most exciting day ever in my life,” Lomong said in a statement by the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) on Wednesday.
“It is a great honor for me that my team mates chose to vote for me. The opening ceremony is the best day and the best moment of Olympic life,” added the 23-year-old, who will race in the 1,500 meters....
While Lomong will no doubt be concentrating on trying to win his race, his selection is likely to provoke extensive debate about China’s relations with Sudan.
China is a major investor in the Sudanese oil industry and sells arms to Khartoum. Critics say self-interest has led China to shield the Sudanese government from pressure over the conflict in the western region of Darfur.
Some 200,000 people have died and an estimated 2.5 million been made homeless in five years of conflict in Darfur, according to international experts....
(Excerpt) Read more at sports.yahoo.com ...
Thanks for the ping! I’ll include this on tonight’s Dose :)
Also seen with a sign on his back which reads: "Will run for food".....
Not me but I would still watch the commercial......
Wow, she be smokin’ AND she be smokin’
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