By Dominic Lobalu, a 25-year-old runner born in South Sudan, is poised to make Olympic history as part of the Refugee Olympic Team at the Paris 2024 Games. Lobalu’s journey from a war-torn village to the Olympic stadium exemplifies the resilience and determination of refugee athletes worldwide.
Born in 1998 during Sudan’s civil war, Lobalu fled his village at age nine after a military raid. He found refuge in Kenya’s Kakuma Refugee Camp, where his athletic talents were discovered. In 2017, Lobalu competed in the 1500m heats at the World Championships in London, marking the beginning of his international athletic career.
Lobalu’s path to the Olympics took an unexpected turn when he sought asylum in Switzerland in 2019. This decision initially made him ineligible for the Refugee Olympic Team at the Tokyo 2020 Games. However, after gaining a Swiss residency permit and permission from World Athletics to represent Switzerland from May 2023, Lobalu’s Olympic dreams were revived.
In June 2023, Lobalu made history by becoming the first refugee to win medals at a major international event, claiming gold in the 10,000m and bronze in the 5,000m at the European Championships. These performances caught the attention of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), leading to his invitation to join the Refugee Olympic Team for Paris 2024.
“This is what I was dreaming for,” Lobalu told BBC Sport Africa. “When I started my training, the goal was to go to the Olympics one day. And now I have it I’m so happy.”
Lobalu will compete in the 5,000m event, with the first round beginning on Wednesday. He joins boxer Cindy Ngamba, who has already assured the Refugee Olympic Team of its first-ever medal. Lobalu’s participation offers the potential to upgrade Ngamba’s guaranteed bronze.
The athlete’s journey is being documented in a short film titled ‘To Chase a Dream’, set for release by Swiss sportswear brand On two days before the men’s 5,000m final. Lobalu hopes his story will inspire other refugee athletes to pursue their dreams.
As Lobalu prepares for his Olympic debut, he remains ambitious about his prospects. “Why not?” he said when asked about the possibility of winning gold. “I’m ready for anything.”
Lobalu’s participation in the Paris Olympics not only represents a personal triumph but also highlights the ongoing global refugee crisis and the power of sport to transcend borders and politics. His story serves as an inspiration to millions of displaced people around the world, demonstrating that with perseverance and opportunity, refugees can achieve their dreams on the world’s biggest sporting stage.
bbc.com
