South Sudan's delegation to the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics bids farewell to people in Maebashi, Gunma Prefecture, on Aug. 26, 2021, after staying in the city for nearly two years. (Kyodo)

       MAEBASHI, Japan (Kyodo) -- South Sudan's delegation to the Tokyo Games on Thursday bid farewell to people in Maebashi, a city about 100 kilometers north of the capital, after staying a year longer than initially scheduled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

       The delegation of three Olympians, one Paralympian and a coach visited city hall prior to their departure from Japan to thank officials and volunteers for all the support since they arrived in Maebashi in November 2019 for pre-games training.

       The Olympics and Paralympics were delayed for one year because of the pandemic and their extended stay was financed by donations. Many citizens came to say goodbye to the team on the last day and took photos with them.

       Abraham Guem, a 1,500-meter runner, who did not advance to the final but ran his best time at the Olympics, put his hand on his heart to express appreciation for the citizens and said that he wishes to meet them again in the future.

       The African country became independent a decade ago from Sudan but suffered a bloody civil war from 2013 to 2018, and remains one of the poorest countries in the world, having no good training environment for athletes.

       Maebashi had decided to welcome them through the intermediation of the Japan International Cooperation Agency, which has been promoting peace through sports in South Sudan.

       "They were always praying for peace in their homeland. I want them to live happily," Yoshiko Fueki, 74, who had met them at a Catholic church in the city every week until the COVID-19 situation deteriorated, said when sending off the delegation.

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