robert and barbara rogers became lopez's american parents as part of the lost boys of sudan program. >> i'm so blessed to be in this country. me and my mom went to shop for school supplies. to have that backpack, to have that pencil, crayons in my backpack, at 16 years old, so i can be able to write something i remember afterward -- it's just incredible. >> reporter: lopez graduated from high school in nearby tully, new york, where he ran on the track team. he earned a scholarship to arizona university and became an american citizen. he qualified in the 2000 olympics in the men's 1500-meters, and carried the u.s. flag in the opening ceremonies. he won his first national title a year later, at the 2009 u.s.a. outdoor track and field championships. he competes year-round internationally, never forgetting the thousands of remaining lost boys of sudan still searching for homes. >> now i'm running towards something. to be able to give back to those kids. to give them opportunity. to give them that light, for them a future. you went to the united states and you told your story, basically n