Rose Nathike Lokonyen (born 24 February 1995)[1] is a track and field athlete from South Sudan, but who later lived and trained in Kenya.
[2][3] The family then crowded into the back of a truck and made their way to Kakuma refugee camp in northwest Kenya.
[3] When she reached high school, while still living in the refugee camp, Lokonyen began running as a pastime.
Lokonyen first tried out, while running barefoot, at the 5,000 meter distance and won her race, allowing her advance to Ngong.
[2][3] She continued to train alongside other Olympic hopeful refugees in Ngong before being notified via a livestream from Geneva, Switzerland that she had been chosen to compete.