The long-distance runner and European champion Dominic Lobalu will be competing in the IOC refugee team in the 5000 m at the Olympic Games in Paris.
The 25-year-old native of South Sudan accepted the invitation from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) after the committee denied him the right to compete for Switzerland.
"Even though I would have liked to compete for my new home country, I am delighted to have the opportunity to compete at the Olympic Games," Lobalu was quoted as saying in a statement from Swiss Athletics. It is a dream come true for him and he is grateful to all those people who have accompanied him on his journey in recent years, supported him and believed in him. "I know where I come from - and where I belong. In Paris, I will also be running with Switzerland in my heart."
Lobalu will complete his Olympic preparations as planned - including an altitude training camp in St. Moritz. In Paris, he will be coached by Markus Hagmann and can also count on the people he knows from the Swiss Athletics staff.
Lobalu was able to run for Switzerland for the first time at the European Championships in Rome and excelled with gold in the 10,000 m and bronze in the 5000 m. However, as he has only been in Switzerland since 2019, he will have to wait even longer for his Swiss passport. However, according to the Olympic Charter, a passport from the country you want to compete for is mandatory for participation in the Olympic Games.
SDA
