The United States has chosen former Sudanese refugee Lopez Lomong to carry its flag at the Olympics opening ceremony in a move which could embarrass Sudan and its ally China.
Lomong spent 10 years in a refugee camp after fleeing Sudan as a child and was given the honour after a vote by the team captains of the entire US Olympic squad. The 23-year-old will race in the 1,500 metres.
China is a major investor in the Sudanese oil industry and sells arms to Khartoum. Critics say self-interest has led China to shield the Sudanese Government from pressure over the conflict in the western region of Darfur.