Press release from Kimbia Athletics below:
The remarkable story of Lopez Lomong’s rise from Sudanese child soldier to US Olympic flag bearer is set to be detailed in a feature-length film, Running For My Life, which is due for release in the spring of 2020.
In a fascinating interview with HBO’s Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel, set to air on Tuesday, February 26 at 10pm, Lomong will reveal a new aspect to his uplifting story, recounting how he helped younger brothers Peter and Alex follow his own path to the US to discover the American dream.
Kimbia Athletics, in partnership with Brookwell/McNamara Entertainment, Film Roman Productions and Red Heritage Media, will begin production of the feature film on July 7, 2019 as Lomong continues his build-up for the Tokyo Olympics in 2020. The screenplay will be adapted from Lomong’s best-selling autobiography of the same name.
Lomong’s tale remains one of the most remarkable in world sports, a Sudanese child-soldier who grew up to become the flag bearer for the United States team at the Beijing Olympics in 2008, and it is only fitting that his tale would eventually grace the big screen.
“We want to take audiences on a deeply felt emotional journey, with cinematic and musical energy that we hope will remind viewers of Lion and Chariots of Fire,” said Steve Waterman, president of Film Productions, which is known for producing The Simpsons.
Running For My Life will detail Lomong’s journey from unimaginable childhood horror, being abducted at age six by rebel soldiers, to his arrival in the United States as one the Lost Boys of Sudan, where he eventually built a new life and became a decorated athlete of global renown.
“This is not just a story of survival, but of an absolute refusal to be limited by false assumptions and misplaced expectations of others,” said Tom Ratcliffe, Lomong’s long-time manager at Kimbia Athletics. “Lopez’s journey is a clear example of how immigrations strengthens this nation.”
Lomong’s appearance on HBO’s Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel on Tuesday night will offer a poignant insight into the 34-year-old’s remarkable life, one which, despite being faced with colossal challenges, has ultimately been defined by his immense courage.