From South Sudan to Japan -- and on to the Tokyo Olympics

Four South Sudanese athletes are already training in Japan for this year's Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics. They are trying to get a head start but, even so, they aren't likely to win any medals.

Unlike most of the 11,000 athletes who will be in Tokyo for the Olympics, and thousands more for the Paralympics, they will be able to speak Japanese.

“Just the language itself, I love it," said Abraham Majok, a 1,500-meter runner who arrived in Japan in November with three other South Sudanese athletes and a coach. “And it’s nice and since we started learning it. It’s not so difficult, and also not so easy. But, you know, we are moving well with it and we just love it.”

In this Feb. 12, 2020, photo, Joseph Akoon Akoon, of the South Sudan team practices as coach Joseph Omirok, marks time of runs during their training ifor the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympics in Maebashi, Gunma Prefecture, north of Tokyo. (AP PhotoEugene Hoshiko)

They are training about 100 kilometers (60 miles) northwest of Tokyo in the city of Maebashi, supported mainly by donations from the Japanese public.

Majok is training and thinking of his country, which gained independence from Sudan in 2011 but descended into a civil war two years later. The conflict has killed an estimated 400,000 people and forced millions from their homes.

“As you know, for every battle that you are going for, you always go to look for success and you don’t go to look for failures," Majok said. “I have been having this dream to come for the Olympics and to compete and get something good for myself and for my country as well.”

In this Feb. 12, 2020 photo, Joseph Akoon Akoon, right, and other of the South Sudan team practice together during training for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympics in Maebashi, Gunma Prefecture, north of Tokyo. (AP PhotoEugene Hoshiko)

Maebashi city official Kazuhiko Kuwabara has watched the four train in person. But the real thrill will come in about 5 1/2 months when the Olympics open.

“I think more important than their records is to see them running on the track (at the Tokyo Olympics) wearing their uniform with South Sudan’s national flag," Kuwabara said. “We together with people of Maebashi would like to support them to achieve that.”

Akoon Akoon, a 400-meter hurdler, pointed out the distinct advantage of training in Maebashi. The city has a track.

In this Feb. 12, 2020, photo, 100m sprinter Lucia Moris, bottom, of the South Sudan team practices the Japanese language as part of their training for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympics in Maebashi, Gunma Prefecture, north of Tokyo. Four South Sudanese athletes are already training in Japan for the Olympics. They are getting a head start. And although they aren't likely to win any medals they will be ahead of most of the other 11,000 athletes who will be in Tokyo this summer for the Olympics. (AP PhotoEugene Hoshiko)

“Before I go to the Olympics, I can get enough training here in Maebashi with the coaches and the track here,” he said, pausing. “Because there (South Sudan), we don’t have tracks.”

South Sudan coach Joseph Omirok wants to return home when the Olympics and Paralympics end, and he plans to take some of Japan back with him.

“I learned a lot,” he said. “I'm getting not only sport. I'm learning a lot; the language, how Japanese people are. The are actually good people.”

In this Feb. 12, 2020, photo, Joseph Akoon Akoon, left, of the South Sudan team and Japanese athlete Mizuki Obuchi, right, practice together during their training for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympics in Maebashi, Gunma Prefecture, north of Tokyo. (AP PhotoEugene Hoshiko)

More AP sports: https://apnews.com/apf-sports and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

In this Feb. 12, 2020 photo, Abraham Majok, a South Sudanese 1500m runner, trains practice with Japanese volunteers during training for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics in Maebashi, Gunma Prefecture, north of Tokyo. Four South Sudanese athletes are already training in Japan for the Olympics. They are getting a head start. And although they aren't likely to win any medals they will be ahead of most of the other 11,000 athletes who will be in Tokyo this summer for the Olympics. (AP PhotoEugene Hoshiko)

In this Feb. 12, 2020, photo, Joseph Akoon Akoon and other compatriot athletes of the South Sudan team participate in a Japanese language lesson during training for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympics in Maebashi, Gunma Prefecture, north of Tokyo. (AP PhotoEugene Hoshiko)

In this Feb. 12, 2020, photo, athletes of the South Sudan team warm up near a banner saying in Japanese "South Sudan" during their training for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympics in Maebashi, Gunma Prefecture, north of Tokyo. (AP PhotoEugene Hoshiko)

In this Feb. 12, 2020 photo, Abraham Majok and other compatriot athletes of the South Sudan team participate during Japanese language lesson during their training for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympics in Maebashi, Gunma Prefecture, north of Tokyo. (AP PhotoEugene Hoshiko)

In this Feb. 12, 2020, photo, Abraham Majok and other compatriot athletes of the South Sudan team participate in a Japanese language lesson as part of their training for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympics in Maebashi, Gunma Prefecture, north of Tokyo. (AP PhotoEugene Hoshiko)

Riders in the men's and women's Tour de France will take in some eye-catching views in next year’s race as they pedal through the hills and valleys of Britain.

The men's edition of the 2027 Tour begins in the Scottish city of Edinburgh on July 2, with the opening stage passing through Midlothian and the Scottish borders before ending in Carlisle, outside the city's medieval castle.

The following day, an undulating second stage takes the peloton from Keswick in the heart of the Lake District's National Park before ending on The Strand in the northwest city of Liverpool, home of The Beatles and the city's beloved soccer team.

A hilly third stage on July 4 takes place in Wales.

Starting from Welshpool in Powys, it snakes through the south Welsh valleys and features climbs up Côte de Rhigos and Côte de Caerffili in the closing stages before finishing in Cardiff.

It is the first time both Grand Départs — the cycling term for Tour race starts — have taken place in the same country, outside of France.

Britain has proved a very welcoming host in the past.

“The UK has always welcomed the Tour with passion and pride, and the route details we are revealing today reflect the beauty and diversity of Britain’s terrain,” Tour de France race director Christian Prudhomme said. “Bringing both Grand Départs here is a testament to the strength of our partnership with British Cycling and the enthusiasm of the UK.”

The 2014 men's Tour began in the Yorkshire region of northern England and drew huge crowds, following on from the equally enthusiastic welcome when the 2007 Tour started in London.

The women's 2027 Tour starts July 30 from the civic hall in Leeds in northern England, before crossing the Pennines to Manchester.

The next day riders go through the Peak District National Park and tackle the Côte de Snake Pass before crossing the line in the South Yorkshire city of Sheffield.

The women's peloton says au revoir to Britain after a Sunday showpiece third stage in London on Aug. 1.

“Starting the Tour de France in Leeds is a strong choice, closely linked to this heritage and to the enthusiasm of a public that knows and loves the Tour,” women's Tour director Marion Rousse said. "These stages clearly reflect the race’s ambition: to continue growing women’s cycling and to inspire future generations.”

Last year's men's race started in the French city of Lille, and Slovenian cycling star Tadej Pogačar went on to win the overall title for the fourth time.

Olympic champion Pauline Ferrand-Prévôt of France won the women's race at the first attempt.

This year's men's race starts in Barcelona on July 4. The host of the 1992 Olympic Games previously hosted stages but never the start. This year’s women’s race begins in Switzerland.

A social impact initiative called “Joy” will be promoted during the 2027 Grand Départ. It aims to tackle inactivity, improve mental wellbeing and help communities prosper.

Organizers will work alongside governments, local councils and community representatives to create opportunities for young people and also break down existing barriers for girls in sport.

British Cycling hopes to recruit more than 7,000 volunteers for the Grand Départ.

AP cycling: https://apnews.com/hub/cycling

FILE - Reigning World Champion Tadej Pogacar indicates five as he celebrates winning his fifth in a row Il Lombardia, Tour of Lombardy cycling race, in Bergamo, Italy, Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025. (Gian Mattia D'Alberto/LaPresse via AP, File)

FILE - France's Pauline Ferrand-Prevot pedals during the women's Elite road race, at the road cycling World Championships in Kigali, Rwanda, Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)

FILE - Tour de France winner Denmark's Jonas Vingegaard, wearing the overall leader's yellow jersey, celebrates on the podium after the last stage of the Tour de France cycling race in Paris, France, Sunday, July 23, 2023. (AP Photo/Daniel Cole, file)