Bol has been named in the Olympic team to run for Australia in the 800 metres after he ran a one minute 45.78 seconds qualifying time.
“I feel great; after dreaming and visualising this day, to finally come true is humbling,” he said.
“Whether that means getting through the semi-finals and into the final or winning a medal or even coming last, as long as I can walk out knowing that I’ve done my best is all my focus is directed towards.
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READ NOW“Of course getting to wear the green and gold and actually racing in front of so many people and knowing that everyone at home is watching is just a beautiful thought.”
Bol was originally born in Sudan before immigrating to Australia via Egypt at age six.
He moved to Melbourne at the start of this year to put him in the best position to get an Olympic berth.
“Melbourne was my sacrifice. Being able to move under one of the best coaches in Australia, and having the fastest athlete to ever run the 800m in Australia as a training partner is an opportunity that I wasn’t going to pass,” he said.
“Melbourne is a lot different than Thornlie; with that being said, I’ve achieved most of my athletics success in Perth running around the streets of Thornlie and training at Langford oval.
“Melbourne helped, as it had a bigger running community and level of competition is quiet high.”
He is grateful for home-town support.
“The community behind me is so big and I realise that every day,” he said,
“There are really no limits if you can dream far enough; one day running around the streets of Thornlie to Melbourne and now Rio.”