The primary time Abraham Majok Matet Guem competed in a observe race, he ran in his black faculty footwear.Guem — now a 21-year-old Olympian representing South Sudan — was so quick he rapidly caught the attention of a coach, who purchased him correct trainers and sportswear.”I used these for some years, and there was no manner when that one received completed that I would have any cash to purchase one other one or get one other pair of footwear,” Guem instructed CNN’s Blake Essig.However as a budding observe athlete, his highschool intervened — giving him a scholarship and loaning him trainers, which he gave again to the subsequent scholar after he graduated.For aspiring South Sudanese athletes, coaching has all the time been a problem. Lots of them, mentioned Guem, wrestle to get one sq. meal a day and practice on uneven rocky terrain.”I believe round 60% of athletes don’t have even a pair of footwear, so that they run barefoot,” he added.In 2011, South Sudan gained independence and have become the world’s youngest nation. However civil warfare erupted two years later, killing an estimated 400,000 individuals and forcing hundreds of thousands from their properties to create Africa’s greatest refugee disaster and the world’s third-largest after Syria and Afghanistan.Regardless of the hardships, operating stored Guem going. On the 2019 Africa Video games held in Morocco, he broke South Sudan’s nationwide document for the 1,500 meters and was chosen to turn out to be a part of his nation’s Olympic crew.Since November 2019, he and three different South Sudanese athletes and their coach have been residing and coaching within the small Japanese metropolis of Maebashi in Gunma prefecture — round a two-hour drive from Tokyo.Whereas many Japanese cities and cities that signed as much as host Olympic groups have been compelled to rethink their plans as a result of ongoing pandemic, Maebashi is an exception.When the pandemic delayed the Video games by one yr, town of 350,000 individuals raised virtually $300,000 nationwide in taxes and donations like trainers and athletic gear in December 2023 to make sure the Olympians and their coach might keep on in Maebashi — and cement an Olympic legacy.Sports activities and unityGuem mentioned he and his crew’s mission is to advertise the significance of unity at dwelling in South Sudan.The 1,500m runner mentioned he sought to characterize South Sudanese states apart from his personal at native and nationwide competitions.”I’ve by no means competed for my hometown or my state however all the time for different states to point out my love for them and that they’re all equal,” he mentioned.That pondering is in step with a South Sudanese sports activities competition dubbed “Nationwide Unity Day,” which has been co-organized by the Japan Worldwide Cooperation Company (JICA), a authorities company supporting development in different nations, and the South Sudan Ministry of Tradition, Youth and Sports activities. In its fifth yr, that occasion brings collectively younger individuals from throughout South Sudan.Whereas the contributors come from totally different tribes and ethnic teams that may not see eye-to-eye, the sports activities competition supplies an area for them to search out frequent floor. The youths, for example, all sleep in the identical constructing, dine collectively, and might work together freely, and get to know one another, mentioned Guem, who took half in 2016.”Sports activities is one unifying issue that may be very vital for a rustic like South Sudan,” he added. “When you will have warfare, and you’re all the time stored aside, you do not come collectively. And I am certain the fellows went again with totally different mindsets about others.”‘Like superheroes’Over in Japan, Guem mentioned he and his crew had discovered a steady setting to work in direction of their objective.The postponement of Tokyo 2023 additionally gave them time to coach more durable. Michael Machiek, 30 — South Sudan’s first Paralympian — mentioned he broke two private bests whereas in Japan.”That is giving me hope to go and compete with the highest Paralympic athletes,” he mentioned.Past coaching, the South Sudanese Olympians have finished what few different worldwide groups could have the chance to do. Over the previous yr and a half, they’ve gotten to know Maebashi residents, sampled the native fare, and attended Japanese and pc courses 4 instances every week.”They do not look like strangers in Maebashi — it is extra like they’re members of the group. I believe they’re seen like superheroes,” mentioned Shunya Miyata, the coordinator for Worldwide Cooperation at JICA.That fandom has even earned them a strong help base.To this point, JICA has bought over 3,000 T-shirts to boost funds for the athletes. Native companies have additionally pitched in. Maebashi metropolis’s dental affiliation pledged free care all through the athlete’s keep, and 10 merchandising machines have been erected in Maebashi to help the South Sudanese crew.Olympic legacyNext yr, two athletes who performed an energetic half in Nationwide Unity Day shall be invited to spend six months in Maebashi Metropolis as a part of the long-term coaching camp. The goal is to help the subsequent technology of athletes from South Sudan, in response to Shinichi Hagiwara, a Maebashi metropolis official.”By the South Sudanese athletes, we have had the chance to consider the concept of peace collectively and notice that it isn’t one thing that we are able to take as a right,” mentioned Shinichi Hagiwara, a Maebashi metropolis official.”Individuals in Maebashi shall be rooting for these athletes on the Olympics.”However with the Video games quick approaching — the Opening Ceremony is on July 23 — questions stay over how Tokyo can maintain an enormous sporting occasion and preserve volunteers, athletes, officers — and the Japanese public — protected from COVID-19.That concern has been amplified by Japan’s battle with a fourth wave. The nation handed 647,000 whole coronavirus circumstances on Wednesday, and several other prefectures — together with Tokyo — are below a state of emergency till the tip of Could.Up to now, Japan has solely vaccinated about 4.4 million of its 126 million individuals, with roughly just one% of the inhabitants completely vaccinated.The considered one other Olympic delay is on Guem’s thoughts, however for now, he is staying optimistic.”It nonetheless worries me as a result of the circumstances, it appears to be rising, and the concern is all the time there, however I’m certain that the Olympics will happen,” mentioned Guem, who needs to encourage different youths to channel their power to creating South Sudan.”I am doing it for my nation, not for myself. I wish to deliver peace in my nation,” mentioned Guem.
The primary time Abraham Majok Matet Guem competed in a observe race, he ran in his black faculty footwear.
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Guem — now a 21-year-old Olympian representing South Sudan — was so quick he rapidly caught the attention of a coach, who purchased him correct trainers and sportswear.
“I used these for some years, and there was no manner when that one received completed that I would have any cash to purchase one other one or get one other pair of footwear,” Guem instructed CNN’s Blake Essig.
However as a budding observe athlete, his highschool intervened — giving him a scholarship and loaning him trainers, which he gave again to the subsequent scholar after he graduated.
For aspiring South Sudanese athletes, coaching has all the time been a problem. Lots of them, mentioned Guem, wrestle to get one sq. meal a day and practice on uneven rocky terrain.
“I believe round 60% of athletes don’t have even a pair of footwear, so that they run barefoot,” he added.
In 2011, South Sudan gained independence and have become the world’s youngest nation. However civil warfare erupted two years later, killing an estimated 400,000 individuals and forcing hundreds of thousands from their properties to create Africa’s greatest refugee disaster and the world’s third-largest after Syria and Afghanistan.
Regardless of the hardships, operating stored Guem going. On the 2019 Africa Video games held in Morocco, he broke South Sudan’s national record for the 1,500 meters and was chosen to turn out to be a part of his nation’s Olympic crew.
Since November 2019, he and three different South Sudanese athletes and their coach have been residing and coaching within the small Japanese metropolis of Maebashi in Gunma prefecture — round a two-hour drive from Tokyo.
Whereas many Japanese cities and cities that signed as much as host Olympic groups have been compelled to rethink their plans as a result of ongoing pandemic, Maebashi is an exception.
When the pandemic delayed the Video games by one yr, town of 350,000 individuals raised virtually $300,000 nationwide in taxes and donations like trainers and athletic gear in December 2023 to make sure the Olympians and their coach might keep on in Maebashi — and cement an Olympic legacy.
Sports activities and unity
Guem mentioned he and his crew’s mission is to advertise the significance of unity at dwelling in South Sudan.
The 1,500m runner mentioned he sought to characterize South Sudanese states apart from his personal at native and nationwide competitions.
“I’ve by no means competed for my hometown or my state however all the time for different states to point out my love for them and that they’re all equal,” he mentioned.
That pondering is in step with a South Sudanese sports activities competition dubbed “Nationwide Unity Day,” which has been co-organized by the Japan Worldwide Cooperation Company (JICA), a authorities company supporting development in different nations, and the South Sudan Ministry of Tradition, Youth and Sports activities. In its fifth yr, that occasion brings collectively younger individuals from throughout South Sudan.
Whereas the contributors come from totally different tribes and ethnic teams that may not see eye-to-eye, the sports activities competition supplies an area for them to search out frequent floor. The youths, for example, all sleep in the identical constructing, dine collectively, and might work together freely, and get to know one another, mentioned Guem, who took half in 2016.
“Sports activities is one unifying issue that may be very vital for a rustic like South Sudan,” he added. “When you will have warfare, and you’re all the time stored aside, you do not come collectively. And I am certain the fellows went again with totally different mindsets about others.”
‘Like superheroes’
Over in Japan, Guem mentioned he and his crew had discovered a steady setting to work in direction of their objective.
The postponement of Tokyo 2023 additionally gave them time to coach more durable. Michael Machiek, 30 — South Sudan’s first Paralympian — mentioned he broke two private bests whereas in Japan.
“That is giving me hope to go and compete with the highest Paralympic athletes,” he mentioned.
Past coaching, the South Sudanese Olympians have finished what few different worldwide groups could have the chance to do. Over the previous yr and a half, they’ve gotten to know Maebashi residents, sampled the native fare, and attended Japanese and pc courses 4 instances every week.
“They do not look like strangers in Maebashi — it is extra like they’re members of the group. I believe they’re seen like superheroes,” mentioned Shunya Miyata, the coordinator for Worldwide Cooperation at JICA.
That fandom has even earned them a strong help base.
To this point, JICA has bought over 3,000 T-shirts to boost funds for the athletes. Native companies have additionally pitched in. Maebashi metropolis’s dental affiliation pledged free care all through the athlete’s keep, and 10 merchandising machines have been erected in Maebashi to help the South Sudanese crew.
Olympic legacy
Subsequent yr, two athletes who performed an energetic half in Nationwide Unity Day shall be invited to spend six months in Maebashi Metropolis as a part of the long-term training camp. The goal is to help the subsequent technology of athletes from South Sudan, in response to Shinichi Hagiwara, a Maebashi metropolis official.
“By the South Sudanese athletes, we have had the chance to consider the concept of peace collectively and notice that it isn’t one thing that we are able to take as a right,” mentioned Shinichi Hagiwara, a Maebashi metropolis official.
“Individuals in Maebashi shall be rooting for these athletes on the Olympics.”
However with the Video games quick approaching — the Opening Ceremony is on July 23 — questions stay over how Tokyo can maintain an enormous sporting occasion and preserve volunteers, athletes, officers — and the Japanese public — protected from COVID-19.
That concern has been amplified by Japan’s battle with a fourth wave. The nation handed 647,000 whole coronavirus circumstances on Wednesday, and several other prefectures — together with Tokyo — are below a state of emergency till the tip of Could.
Up to now, Japan has solely vaccinated about 4.4 million of its 126 million individuals, with roughly just one% of the inhabitants completely vaccinated.
The considered one other Olympic delay is on Guem’s thoughts, however for now, he is staying optimistic.
“It nonetheless worries me as a result of the circumstances, it appears to be rising, and the concern is all the time there, however I’m certain that the Olympics will happen,” mentioned Guem, who needs to encourage different youths to channel their power to creating South Sudan.
“I am doing it for my nation, not for myself. I wish to deliver peace in my nation,” mentioned Guem.
