Leonard Korir fulfilled his dream of representing the red, white, and blue at the Paris Olympics in dramatic fashion. Despite finishing third at the U.S. Olympic Trials, only the top two finishers, Conner Mantz and Clayton Young, secured spots on the team. However, shortly after this, USTAF announced that World Athletics had granted Team USA an additional spot, allowing Korir to achieve his dream.

Korir’s journey to representing the USA in his second Olympics is as unique as his qualification. Born in Iten, Kenya, a region known for producing world-class long-distance runners, Korir hails from a country that has dominated the men’s marathon since the 2008 Beijing Olympics. But what accomplishments did this Kenyan long-distance runner achieve, and why did he choose to represent the USA when the opportunity arose?

How America gave Leonard Korir’s the opportunity to pursue running

Growing up in Iten, the marathon runner did not get formal training when he started long-distance running. In fact, it wasn’t until he was 20, and attended Tambach Teachers Training College, until Irish track and field coach Colm O’Connell realized his potential. O’Connell understood that the youngest had potential but needed world-class knowledge to start realizing it.

Unfortunately, Kenya couldn’t offer such resources, so O’Connell encouraged Korir to seek an athletic scholarship in the United States. This pursuit eventually led Korir to Iona College, where he began his NCAA career as part of the Iona Gaels Athletics team, marking the start of his journey from Kenya to the Olympic stage representing Team USA.

The long-distance runner made his mark in the very first year at Iona College, finishing fifth in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. Korir continued to improve under the college athletic program, netting his first NCAA title in the Division 1 cross-country race. At that moment the Kenyan realized his dream, from getting inspired by the champions he saw as a child to becoming one.

Leonard Korir continued his upward trajectory in his second year at Iona. The Gaels member set a 5000m school record at the NCAA Men’s Division I Indoor Track and Field Championships in 2011. That same year, the runner also earned his first NCAA Division 1 Outdoor title. Yet, the Kenyan is among many foreign athletes who find success in the USA but represent their country. So how did Leonard Korir find his way into Team USA? Well, that happened though a special military program.

How did Iten-born Kenyan become a part of the U.S. Army?

Instead of going back to his country, the Korir chose to join the United States Armed Forces through MAVNI. Thanks to the Iona College alum’s mastery of his native Swahili, he joined the U.S. Army through the Military Accessions Vital to the National Interest in 2015. “I need to give something back… This country gave me the opportunity to go to school,” Korir told KKTV 11 News on August 6.

However, the USAF wouldn’t let their Staff Sergeant’s (SSG) athletic talents go to waste. So thanks to the the military, Leonard Korir continued his quest to race in the Olympics. During his time as an army man, the Kenyan has represented the Stars and Stripes in 40 national and international contests, including the 2024 U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trails.

Although age is not at his side, the 37-year-old has no plans of retiring, regardless of the outcome at the Paris Olympics. Only time will tell if Korir gets the opportunity to once again represent the USA when the Olympic Games arrive stateside in 2028.