Lopez Lomong Former ‘Lost Boy from Sudan’ Carries US Flag as Beijing Olympics Opens

Sudanese-born Lopez Lomong led the U.S. athletes as they marched into China’s National Stadium during the opening ceremonies for the Beijing Olympics.

Joseph Lopepe (Lopez) Lomong was kidnapped from his village in Kimotong, Sudan, at the age of six. He escaped by tunneling under the wire fence of his compound and spent three days on the run. Lomong found himself across the border in Kenya, where he lived for 10 years at the Kakuma refugee camp.

Watch ESPN footage:

Jim Stevenson of VOA has more on the 23-year-old track runner, who was one of the so-called Lost Boys of Sudan. Take a listen:

Syracuse.com has additional coverage on Lomong’s foster parents