Atalena Napule Gaspore Loliha, a former refugee, made history for South Sudan by winning its first-ever African Games gold medal in the half marathon.
Her victory in Accra, achieved in 1:14:36, offers a powerful message of hope for the conflict-ridden nation.
Loliha’s journey from Kakuma Refugee Camp to the top of the podium is an inspiring one. Training in Iten, Kenya, she overcame her past to achieve this momentous milestone.
“Winning the African Games has given me so much hope,” she shared, highlighting the potential of South Sudanese athletes.
Her success is already inspiring a resurgence of refugee athletes returning to South Sudan, where the athletics federation is developing new programs.
Loliha’s story demonstrates the life-changing impact of sport and offers a vision of unity and peace for South Sudan’s future.
