With the 2024 Olympics games in Paris, France off and running, we’re continuing to spotlight world-class immigrant athletes who are or have competed for the U.S. National team. Today, we recognize a track and field competitor who gained his citizenship through military service, Paul Chelimo.
Born on October 27, 1990, in Iten, Kenya, Paul Chelimo grew up with posters of well-known runners such as Usain Bolt hanging on his door. At 25 years old, Shorter University in Georgia recruited him as a runner. There, he would win numerous national titles and honors. Soon after, he transferred to Greensboro College in North Carolina to pursue his career. His standout college career saw him named Southern Conference Runner of the Year twice. While most Kenyan runners have historically returned to the country following their studies in the U.S., Chelimo chose a different path.
After graduating from Greensboro, Chelimo qualified for the U.S. Army’s World Class Athlete Program. Acceptance into the program allowed him to focus on his sport while serving in the U.S. military. It also expedited his application for U.S. citizenship, which he gained in time to represent Team USA in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games.
Chelimo won a silver medal in the 5,000m in Brazil, albeit with some controversy; he was almost disqualified when his foot landed partially out of bounds, but it was ruled an accident. He also raced in the 2020 Tokyo Games, claiming a bronze medal in the 5,000m.
Chelimo lives by the motto, “Go Hard or Suffer the Rest of Your Life.” He says that he aspires to use his experience as a water treatment specialist in the U.S. Army to open water treatment facilities in Kenya.
Read more about the other refugee and immigrant Olympians we have featured in honor of the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France: