video transcript

Guor Marial's feet pound American pavement. But it's South Sudan the marathoner will be representing in his heart. A refugee of civil war, Marial received last-minute permission to compete as an independent athlete because newly independent South Sudan does not yet have an Olympic committee. Sudan offered him a spot on its team, but Marial, who lost 28 members of his family in the war, refused. (SOUNDBITE) (English) GUOR MARIAL, SOUTH SUDANESE MARATHONER, SAYING: "It's very emotional and it raises high hopes for the young kids especially. It means a lot, and for me it mean a lot to glorify the people who died for their freedom." His strategy: have fun. (SOUNDBITE) (English) GUOR MARIAL, SOUTH SUDANESE MARATHONER, SAYING: The marathon is a fun race. You just go out there and just enjoy it Marial fled Sudan at age 14 and later became a top runner in the U.S. He'll run on the final day of the games under the Olympic flag. Lindsey Parietti, Reuters