South Sudanese runner Perina Nakang is ecstatic to be part of the 36-strong Refugee Olympic Team, representing forcibly displaced people worldwide. The 21-year-old, currently based in Kenya, will compete in the women’s 800-metre event, aiming to surpass her personal best time of 2 minutes, 12 seconds.
“I never imagined I would make it to the Olympics. I won a high school scholarship because of athletics. I wasn’t even expecting to get it,” Perina shares.
Perina’s journey began at the age of seven when she and her family fled the war in South Sudan, finding refuge in Kenya’s Kakuma refugee camp. It was in Kakuma that she discovered her passion for sports, initially playing football and basketball before a friend encouraged her to take up running.
Her athletic potential became evident in 2022 when she finished second in the women’s 100-metre race organized by Athletics Kenya in Nairobi. This achievement opened new doors for her, leading to a scholarship at the Shoe 4 Africa secondary school, founded by Kenyan long-distance runner and world record holder Mary Keitany. The school is located about 350 kilometers from Nairobi, where Perina continues her high school education.
Perina’s daily routine is rigorous; she wakes up at 5 am to train with elite Kenyan athletes, including Mary Moraa and Faith Kipyegon, running up to 20 kilometers each day. Training under the guidance of 2007 World Championships gold medallist Janeth Jepkosgei has significantly improved her speed and endurance.
“I am the first born in the family, the rest are still young. If I do well, I want to help my siblings through school and pay their fees,” she says. “Now I am a runner. When I compete in the Olympics, my life will change. Now my life has improved. It’s not like it was before; now I feel alive.”
This marks the third time a refugee team is participating in the Olympics, symbolizing hope and resilience for around 120 million forcibly displaced people worldwide. Perina Nakang’s story is a testament to the power of sports in transforming lives and providing opportunities for those in the most challenging circumstances.
