UPM at the Olympics

Joseph "Lopez" Lomong, one of the subjects in Felicia McMahon's Not Just Child's Play: Emerging Tradition and the Lost Boys of Sudan, will be representing the United States at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Lopez qualified for the Olympics some weeks back, but was recently chosen as flagbearer for Friday night's opening ceremonies.

From the AP story:

"Eight years ago, Lopez Lomong didn't even have a country. Now he'll becarrying the flag for his adopted nation, leading the U.S. Olympic team atopening ceremonies Friday night.

Lomong, one of the Lost Boys of Sudan, won a vote of team captains Wednesdayto earn the honor of leading America's contingent into the 90,000-seatBird's Nest Stadium.

The 1,500-meter track runner will be the flagbearer only 13 months afterbecoming a U.S. citizen."

Read Lopez's compelling Olympic profile and bio.