A pandemic disrupted the pace of the entire world. The Olympic Games, originally scheduled to be held in Japan in the summer of 2020, were postponed to the summer of 2021. Athletes worldwide, who had set their sights on the Olympics, found their training schedules disrupted. South Sudan’s Olympic team arrived in Japan as early as November 2019, intending to return home after competing in the Games. However, the pandemic forced them to stay, and for this group — often referred to as “the world’s poorest athletes” — the year and a half turned into an unexpectedly warm experience.
African guests in a Japanese Town
On November 14, 2019, the South Sudan Olympic delegation landed at Tokyo’s Narita Airport. Though their welcome was modest, stepping onto foreign soil as representatives of their homeland was a rare and honorable moment for the young athletes.
Despite being referred to as an “Olympic delegation,” the South Sudan team consisted of only five people — 59-year-old coach Omirok, three Olympic athletes, and one Paralympic athlete, all competing in track and field events. Arriving seven months early for training adaptation, the South Sudanese athletes made their decision based on their country’s unique circumstances.
In 2011, South Sudan separated from Sudan and became the world’s youngest independent nation. However, shortly afterward, a civil war broke out, resulting in 400,000 deaths and a massive refugee crisis. Although a peace agreement was briefly reached in 2018, it soon fell apart, and conflict continues to rage throughout this small African country. With a per capita GDP of US$275.2 in 2019, South Sudan is one of the world’s poorest countries. As a result, these Olympic athletes faced extremely harsh training conditions at home.
Twenty-one-year-old Abraham Guem, who would compete in the 1500-meter event, holds South Sudan’s record in this discipline. Before coming to Japan, his only running gear was a pair of student sneakers. He had used those shoes for years and, to minimize wear, only wore them during competitions. He trained barefoot most of the time.
Eighteen-year-old Akoon Akoon, the youngest member of the South Sudanese team, showed Japanese media a photo of himself standing barefoot on sandy ground, his face filled with pride. Sixty percent of South Sudanese athletes don’t even have shoes. The host city, Maebashi, fulfilled its role graciously by providing Olympic-standard training facilities and equipment, as well as an ample supply of daily clothing and essential living items for these young athletes from abroad.
Please continue to stay here
During the early preparations for the Tokyo Olympics, the Japanese Olympic Committee had established hosting guidelines. Cities near Tokyo were designated to accommodate necessary delegations, offering lodging and training facilities. Maebashi, the capital of Gunma Prefecture, located about two hours from Tokyo, was assigned to host the South Sudanese team. However, the sudden outbreak of the pandemic disrupted all plans.
In March 2020, the International Olympic Committee officially announced the postponement of the Tokyo Olympics and confirmed three months later that the games would not be held that summer. As time passed, several cities hosting foreign athletes canceled their agreements, and many Olympic teams returned home. But the South Sudan delegation faced a dilemma — amid the global pandemic and ongoing conflict in their homeland, they had no way to return and nowhere else to go.
At this moment, Maebashi demonstrated the true spirit of the Olympics. The city, home to 300,000 people, promised to continue supporting the athletes by allowing them to stay and train while providing free accommodation and meals. Many foreigners may not be familiar with Maebashi. In Japan, the city is renowned for its natural beauty and is known for its slogan, “City of Water, Greenery, and Poetry.” It has long been a hub for poets, including renowned writer Sakutarō Hagiwara.
Through taxes and fundraising efforts, the Maebashi government and its residents raised over US$350,000 to ensure that the South Sudanese athletes could train with peace of mind, without worrying about financial constraints. They were granted access to public tracks five days a week, with professional coaches and volunteers assisting them with training and translation. For these African athletes, their time in Maebashi became more than just a sports-related experience — it became a way of life.
The heroes of the city
Beyond training, they attended four Japanese language classes per week, studied diligently, and enrolled in computer courses. As a way of giving back, the athletes actively participated in local school activities, teaching Japanese students English, sharing stories about their homeland, and promoting Olympic dreams of equality and unity. Coach Omirok admitted that adapting to Japan was difficult, “It’s colder here than in Africa, and it often rains. Even the food is completely different. At home, we use charcoal for cooking, but here, it’s gas, so the taste changes.”
However, he emphasized that they felt genuinely welcomed by the locals. “The residents of Maebashi are wonderful people. They love us so much, and that’s why we feel happy here.” Support for these athletes gradually turned into a city-wide effort. A charity organization produced 3,000 cultural shirts to raise funds, and they sold out quickly. Local businesses also added 10 new vending machines near the delegation’s residence. Maebashi’s dental association provided free oral care for the South Sudanese athletes throughout their stay.
“The people of Maebashi have embraced South Sudan as their team. They will be cheering for these athletes at the Olympic Games,” said a city official. “In the eyes of the children, these athletes from afar are like superheroes.”
Coach Omirok expressed deep gratitude for the kindness of Maebashi’s residents. “After the Olympics, we will return these emotions to our country. This is the true meaning of unity.” When asked if he hoped the Olympics would occur as scheduled that year, Omirok pointed both hands toward the sky and said, “If that is what God wants, then it will surely happen.”
Translated by Cecilia
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