Zurich Through The Eyes Of An Athlete Refugee

Orphaned at 9 years-old when he was forced to leave war-torn Sudan, the 24-year-old African athlete, Dominic Lobalu, has been running all his life. He was one of six refugees to flee the Athlete Refugee Team during a competition in 2019 and has since become one of the best 3000-meter runners in the world.

Dominic ran away from the team hotel in Switzerland where he currently resides as the only remaining professional refugee athlete. His chance meeting in Zurich with Swiss coach, Markus Hagmann, enabled Dominic’s rapid rise up the official rankings after winning his first ever Diamond League event last year with a record time. However, his asylum in Switzerland excludes him from the official refugee team, and Dominic is currently running without a national identity.

Dominic is now fighting for the right to represent his new home nation – petitioning the World Athletics committee in his quest to be the first refugee ever to win a World Championship medal on track and field’s biggest stage in August and potentially at the Olympic Games in France next year.

This culture warrior has become a sporting hero within the running world, and the Swiss sportswear company On (the On sneakers are a mainstay among tastemakers) has spent six years filming Dominic’s entire journey – from his roots in Nairobi, to London, Copenhagen, Monaco, Brussels and Zurich, training among the snow-capped mountains of Switzerland. A new highly anticipated 30-minute documentary, written and directed by award-winning film maker Richard Bullock, entitled “The Right To Race” is now released to celebrate World Refugee Day.

We caught up with the African athlete on his life and love for Switzerland’s largest city.

What do you love most about living in Switzerland?

The nature, especially the mountains. And that everything is so clean, safe and peaceful.

What is your favorite place in Zurich to visit when you are not training or competing?

When I’m in the city, I like to enjoy a cup of green tea at my favourite café, and walk along the shore of Lake Zurich. I also like visiting the Sechseläutenplatz, which is one of the main attractions in Zurich and the location of my first Diamond League race.

When you’re not running, what is your favorite pastime?

When I’m not training, I work for a sports store and take German language classes. I’m also learning to drive. On Sundays, I try to go to church.

How would you describe the sports fans and followers of athletics in Switzerland, compared to other countries you have competed in?

Switzerland has some of the best athletics meetings in the world, such as Weltklasse Zürich or Athletissima Lausanne. The crowd is always amazing, but I also feel a great deal of support from the people at the Swiss road races, because they know my story.

What is your favorite Swiss dish?

I love fresh milk straight from the cow on the organic farm I visit, but I also love cheese fondue which I am learning how to make.

How did you feel when you won your first ever Diamond League event last year?

Just grateful for all the people who have always believed in me. It was like a dream come true and the beginning of a new chapter.

Which athlete do you most admire and consider an inspiration or role model?

There are many athletes who inspire me. I feel a special connection with U.S. Olympian Lopez Lamong because, as a fellow native of South Sudan, he has a similar story.

What would it mean to you if granted the right to represent Switzerland on the world stage?

As an athlete, you dream of world championship and Olympic medals. It would mean the world to me to run for the country and the people who helped me to hold on to this dream.

What is your advice to other aspiring athletes who want to follow in your footsteps?

That everything is possible. But you have to work for it. Nobody will come and help you if you don’t look for help. Nobody will change your life for you if you’re not ready to make a change yourself.

To celebrate World Refugee Day, “The Right to Race” documentary presented by On and Hungry Man Productions can now be seen on Eurosport 1 and at righttorace.com.