Guor Marial's feet pound American pavement.<br/> <br />But it's South Sudan the marathoner will be representing in his heart.<br/> <br />A refugee of civil war, Marial received last-minute permission to compete as an independent athlete because newly independent South Sudan does not yet have an Olympic committee.<br/> <br />Sudan offered him a spot on its team, but Marial, who lost 28 members of his family in the war, refused.<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (English) GUOR MARIAL, SOUTH SUDANESE MARATHONER, SAYING:<br/> <br />"It's very emotional and it raises high hopes for the young kids especially. It means a lot, and for me it mean a lot to glorify the people who died for their freedom."<br/> <br />His strategy: have fun.<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (English) GUOR MARIAL, SOUTH SUDANESE MARATHONER, SAYING:<br/> <br />The marathon is a fun race. You just go out there and just enjoy it<br/> <br />Marial fled Sudan at age 14 and later became a top runner in the U.S.<br/> <br />He'll run on the final day of the games under the Olympic flag.<br/> <br />Lindsey Parietti, Reuters
