Lomong said, “This is the most exciting day ever in my life. It’s a great honor for me that my teammates chose to vote for me. The Opening Ceremony is the best day and the best moment of Olympic life. I’m here as an ambassador of my country and I will do everything I can to represent my country well.”

The American flag means everything in my life—everything that describes me, coming from another country and going through all the stages that I have to become a U.S. citizen. This is another amazing step for me in celebrating being an American. Seeing my fellow Americans coming behind me (in the Opening Ceremony) and supporting me will be a great honor—the highest honor. It’s just a happy day. I don’t even have the words to describe how happy I am.

Congratulations and Best Wishes to Lopez Lomong from The Daily Flag. We are delighted as well, to have you represent the United States.

Photographer Paul Merca took the photo of Lomong (used above) at the US Olympic Team Trials-Track & Field, held at Hayward Field on the campus of the University of Oregon in Eugene, Oregon, on July 3, 2008.