James Chiengjiek From Running away to Running "The Olympic Race".

The look on James face betrays no pain. His eyes tell the story of unthinkable sadness and hardships. His demeanor however, shows his great strength to persevere and shine like a bright light despite the darkness his life has seen.
After fleeing his home to avoid being forced to become a child soldier, South Sudanese runner wants to use his platform to help other refugees.

James Nyang Chiengjiek was 13 when he fled his home in South Sudan to avoid being kidnapped by rebels who were forcibly recruiting child soldiers. Fifteen years later, Chiengjiek is set to compete in the 400m at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games as part of the first Olympic refugee team.

“My dream is to get good results at the Olympics and also to help people. Because I have been supported by someone, I also want to support someone,” says Chiengjiek, who will be one of 10 refugees who march under the Olympic flag at the opening ceremony on 5 August.

When he was 11, Chiengjiek lost his father, who was a soldier in the civil war.

He continued living at home in Bentiu, where he looked after cattle. But two years later, as the war and risk of kidnap intensified, Chiengjiek had to leave. “Even if you are 10 years old they can recruit you to join them. I saw that I wasn’t well enough to join the army, so I ran away.”Chiengjiek did not allow his talent to go to waste, despite having to train without the proper footwear. “We all got injuries because of the wrong shoes we had. Then we shared. If maybe you have two pairs of shoes, then you help the one that has none.” Chiengjiek says he wants to use his platform as an Olympic athlete to inspire others. “If some of us get the chance to go to Rio then you have to look back to see where your brothers and sisters are. Given the chance, you have to utilise it in the right way.”

We will be watching James, the true hero and champion of this years Olympics and wish him Gods speed.