Dominic Lokinyomo was eight when his family fled the violence of Sudan’s civil war, and not yet nine when they were separated. To help dull the pain of that separation, he took up sport and began to run.

That early passion eventually landed him at the UNHCR KENYA-sponsored Tegla Loroupe Training Camp for Athlete Refugees in Ngong, Kenya, where less than three years later, the now 20-year-old has already shown that he just may have the drive, talent and determination necessary to reach the next difficult stage of his blossoming career. He’s certainly got the resilience. Below is his story, published originally on IAAF.org.