The South Sudanese runner was left in a difficult situation last week when the Federation called for him to hand over the Scholarship in order for it to be shared among other national runners, a policy of the South Sudan Athletics Federation.

Marial saw his membership revoked by the Federation, potentially stopping him competing at the Rio 2016 Olympics, after defending his right to keep the Scholarship for himself.

Despite the challenges facing the marathoner, who competed under the IOC flag at London 2012 due to the fact that South Sudan does not have an officially recognised National Olympic Committee, Marial has told fans not to "let this issue divide us", claiming that the decision to suspend him was not related to "tribalism".

"My brothers, sisters, families, and friends, I greatly thank you for your kind supporting and encouraging words," he wrote on Facebook.

"However, I highly encourage all of you to not let this issue divided us.

"Please let us push aside tribalism because I think the person in charge may have not done it in a tribal related.

"His decision to suspend me from the South Sudan athletic activities might have to do with misusing the power and misunderstanding the IOC policies.

"South Sudan is not yet a member of the IOC, so technically, South Sudan Federation is not eligible to receive any direct fund from the IOC, but the IOC can provide support to South Sudanese athletes.

"The IOC is doing serious investigation on this issue.

"It's my great hope that this issue will be solve(d) in a short matter, and that the South Sudan Federation will continue pursuing its IOC membership."

Guor Marial competed at London 2012 as an independent athlete under the IOC flag after refusing to represent Sudan ©Facebook


He added: "In the meantime, I will continue doing my level best to support South Sudan Athletic Federation, despite these many challenges.

"I must not back down on what I have work hard on for so many years.

"It's my responsibility to scarify all my energy, time, financial, so that the future generation of South Sudan will have right path to follow.

"Please continue on your support, and let us all work together for the better of our great nation.

"I wish all of you the best in 2015 year."

Marial, who fled to the United States in 1994 to escape the civil war and has not seen his parents for more than 20 years, was offered the opportunity to compete for Sudan at London 2012 due to South Sudan not being recognised by the IOC.

He refuses, however, claiming he would be "betraying my people" if he were to compete for Sudan.

Instead, the IOC offered him the opportunity to compete as an independent athlete under the Olympic flag, where he finished 47th in the marathon.

The IOC is working with the Sudan Olympic Committee and with representatives from the South Sudanese sporting movement to engineer the formation of an NOC, with athletes having also competed under the Olympic flag last year at the Nanjing 2014 Summer Youth Olympic Games.

The main stumbling block is that the African nation, which split from Sudan in 2011, does still not fulfil the membership requirement outlined in the Olympic Charter of having at least five national sporting federations recognised by the respective international body.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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January 2015: IOC investigating suspension of South Sudan marathon runner after refusing to share Solidarity funding
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August 2012: Andrew Warshaw: Inspirational marathon man Marial to "run for refugees" rather than medals
July 2011: South Sudan faces race against time to make it to start line for London 2012