FORT CARSON, Colo. -- Kenyan-born runner Hillary Bor wont be content with just wearing the red, white and blue at the Olympics.Hes willing to protect his new country, too.The sergeant in the U.S. Army heads to Rio this month while his unit -- which includes his older brother -- is already deployed to Afghanistan. Bor stayed behind this time, but it could be his turn soon.Thats the reality for Bor and three other runners of Kenyan descent whove taken a unique path to the Olympics through enlisting in the Army, earning U.S. citizenship, training with the military branchs World Class Athlete Program and making Team USA.They understand the risks. Theyve pledged allegiance to America -- as soldiers to defend and now as runners hoping to bring home an Olympic medal.I might be told tomorrow, `Hey, pack your things, were deploying. I cant say, `I have the Olympics coming up, said Army specialist Paul Chelimo, whos from Iten, Kenya, and earned a spot in the 5,000 meters at U.S. Trials in July. Whatever happens from now to the Olympics, into the future, Im here to follow the orders.Simply the Army way of life for specialists Leonard Korir and Shadrack Kipchirchir, Chelimo and Bor.- Korir hails from Iten, Kenya, and was a two-time NCAA champion at Iona College before joining the Army in May 2015 as a motor transportation operator. He qualified in the 10,000 meters at trials.- Kipchirchir is from Eldoret, Kenya, and was an All-American at Oklahoma State University. He enlisted in June 2014 as a financial management technician. Hes going in the 10,000.- Bor, a 3,000-meter steeplechase runner, arrived from Eldoret as a teenager, running for Iowa State and entering the military in July 2013. Hes one of three Bor brothers in the Army -- the other two following his lead.- Chelimo became a standout at University of North Carolina-Greensboro, before joining in May 2014. He balances his time between training and his duties as a water treatment specialist.If you have a contract with a big shoe company, thats predictable -- you know whats going to happen, Chelimo explained. With the Army, you dont know.All four are part of the Armys World Class Athlete Program, which formally began in 1997 and is designed to give soldier-athletes the support necessary to compete at the highest levels. The program -- headquartered in Fort Carson, Colorado -- includes a variety of sports, with more than a dozen soldier-athletes and three coaches making the trip for the Rio Olympics and Paralympics.A number bolstered by the Kenyan-raised runners.Its a pretty humbling moment to think that somebody would want to leave their country and come to yours and do so to the degree in which they would die for something they havent even been a part of yet, said Army Capt. Matthew Hickey, who supervises the program. WCAP provides a lot to the U.S. Army -- we help train soldiers, help make more ready and resilient troops.However, if all hell broke loose, everybody in the U.S. Army is a soldier first and expected to go deploy and defend the country.Bor was nearly sent to Afghanistan in February, when his unit needed either him or his brother to go.His older brother, Julius, instantly volunteered.It takes courage for someone to raise their hand and say, `Im going to fight for my country. Its something I admire, Hillary Bor said. He knew I had a chance to make the team.Growing up, Bor preferred soccer over running, which he didnt really even take seriously until after high school when his uncle, Barnaba Korir, a standout at Iowa State, enticed him to come to America and give college running a try.Bor followed his uncles lead to Ames, Iowa, and in no time unlocked a talent for the steeplechase, a 3,000-meter race around the track that includes jumping over barriers and into water. Bor became a four-time All-American at Iowa State.After graduation, his running career seemed to hit a road block. So he took an assistant teaching position in New Mexico before joining the Army not so much as a path to Olympics -- he didnt know about WCAP -- but simply because, I wanted to be American, he said.Later, his two older brothers followed his lead -- Julius joining him at Fort Carson and Emmanuel at Fort Bliss, Texas.Bors running career was rekindled through a timed two-mile run thats required for soldiers.He finished in roughly 10 minutes.Everyone was like, `You should compete for the Army team, Bor said.Not as simple as that, though. First, he had to earn his place in WCAP by running a qualifying time. It took him nearly three years -- and stepping up his training largely on his own -- to earn inclusion.A typical day for him went like this: Rise at dawn for training runs with an off-base coach, return to perform his Army tasks and train again at night.In May, Bor ran the necessary time to earn a spot in WCAP. And in July, he finished second at trials to secure his place in Rio.Fittingly, Bors first message was to his brother in Afghanistan.This is not only for my brother, but for my whole unit, Bor said. Its for every soldier thats deployed now.---On the web: http://www.armymwr.com/wcap/default.aspx Authentic Nathan Shepherd Jersey . -- There were a lot of firsts for the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday night. Wholesale Jets Jerseys . While hell be dialed in to that tournament on a course he loves, you can forgive him if his eyes glance down the calendar just a bit, towards April. http://www.cheapnewyorkjetsjerseysauthentic.com/ . -- In a span of seven Washington Redskins offensive plays, Justin Tuck sacked Robert Griffin III four times. Jets Jerseys China . -- Golden State Warriors coach Mark Jackson asked his players a simple question during Fridays morning shootaround: How many of them had ever been on a team 14 games over . Authentic Sam Darnold Jersey . NBA officials ruled the court unplayable in the Bucks final exhibition game on Oct. 25 because players were slipping, and the game was cancelled midway through the first period. RIO DE JANEIRO -- Irish cyclist Nicolas Roche says he developed a serious case of bacterial pneumonia while in Brazil for the Olympic road race and will miss the Spanish Vuelta.Roche suggested on Twitter he may have gotten sick from a bad aircon in Rio, though he did not say how he knew his illness was caused by air conditioning. He also did not specify whether it was from a unit in the Olympic village, where he stayed with the rest of the Irish team.Riding the Vuelta was a big target for me this year and I was looking forward to being part of the team, Roche said. The illness couldnt have come at a worse time, really, and after speaking to the medical staff, its pretty clear that Im not going to be ready in time.The Olympic Council of Ireland, the countrys Olympic committee, said it was not aware of any medical concerns made by Roche during or after his stay with the team.Our athletes are our No. 1 priority and we have not received any complaints, the council said in a statement.Roche competed in the road race in support of countryman Dan Martin onn the first full day of competition at the Rio Games.ddddddddddddHe finished 29th after dropping a chain on the base of the final climb.His pro team, Team Sky, confirmed Roche will miss the Vuelta.The potential for illness has been a major concern in Rio, though mostly because of the Zika virus and water quality.The Vuelta is the third of cyclings three Grand Tours, following the Giro dItalia and the Tour de France. And it was the one Roche has been targeting most of the season, building toward not only the Olympics but the mountainous race in Spain.Roche said he was gutted to miss the race, which begins with a team time trial Aug. 20. Doctors have prescribed eight full days of rest before Roche can get back on a bike. He hopes to compete again before the end of the season.The Vuelta is a race I really enjoy and one where I have had success before, he said. Ill be focusing on my recovery and getting back as soon as I can. Black China NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys From China NFL Jerseys China Wholesale NFL Autographed Jerseys Wholesale Throwback Jerseys Cheap Jerseys Online ' ' '
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