Runner without country to compete at Olympics

LONDON (AP) — Guor Marial ran for his life to escape a Sudanese child labor camp. Now he will get to run at the Olympics.

Marial's heartwarming rise from a fearful kid who hid in a cave, fled his war-torn homeland and finally arrived in the United States as a refugee took another incredible turn Saturday.

Despite having no passport and officially no country - and at one time very little hope - the 28-year-old marathoner was cleared by the IOC to compete at the London Games under the Olympic flag.

``The voice of South Sudan has been heard,'' Marial told The Associated Press from his home in Flagtaff, Ariz. ``The South Sudan has finally got a spot in the world community. Even though I will not carry their flag in this Olympic Games, the country itself is there. .................(more)

The complete piece is at: http://xfinity.comcast.net/articles/sports-olympics/20120721/IOC-South.Sudanese.Runner/