She technically competed as an individual athlete because East Timor was newly independent and had not yet been formally recognized by the International Olympic Committee.
[4] The Sydney Olympics followed East Timor's declaration of independence from Indonesia in 1999, and the ensuing violence.
Amaral had fled her home in Dili, stayed in a refugee camp,[5] and returned eventually to find it looted and burned.
[8] The New York Times wrote that her "performance in the Sydney Games inspired the world", and described her as "a source of national pride".
[5] Amaral competed again at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, this time formally representing East Timor – the only one aside from fellow marathonist Gil da Cruz Trindade.