BEIJING – One dream is over for Lopez Lomong.

Another is just beginning.

Lomong ran the 1,500-meter race in 3 minutes, 41 seconds to finish 22nd of 24 and miss the finals of the event. In several ways, the semifinal race surprised Lomong, starting with the beginning.

One would’ve thought the start was a standing start to a 100-meter sprint. The runners took off, many looking as if they were running at top speed.

“I thought it was going to be a sprint then maybe calm down,” said Lomong, who trains in Colorado Springs. “But they kept on going! I was like, ‘Whoa! Whoa! OK!’ It was like a different race. And I didn’t have an idea it was going to be like that.”

The start totally threw Lomong off his game plan. Showing his youth in major competition, Lomong tried in earnest to keep up with the pack early instead of running his own race.

Lomong’s time was 4.3 seconds slower than his first heat time of 3:36.70. Had Lomong run a 3:36.70 in the semifinals, he would’ve made it to the finals.

“I thought they were going to pick it up about 300 meters to go,” Lomong said. “But they picked it up a little earlier. I wasn’t prepared for that. But those are great athletes, experienced athletes. I was thrilled at how they were able to pick it up and keep that pace. It became a kicking race. It wasn’t my day to kick.”

Lomong knows what to practice now. That start, the pushing and shoving and the ability to know when to kick and how to handle it will slowly become a part of his repertoire.

And the Olympic experience, from being voted as the one to carry the American flag during the Opening Ceremony to his final race, Lomong has zero regrets.

“Wow, what a great experience here for me,” Lomong said. “To be able to come out here and race with the colors on my chest and to have a lot of people wave the flag and to wave to them … ahh, it’s just been wonderful. I’ve had a great time here in China.”

Singles at the 15c cocktail hour. Photo by