Australian runner Peter Bol captured the hearts of millions when he qualified for the Olympic 800m final years after fleeing war-torn Sudan as a child.
He was held up as an example of immigrants enriching Australia with his story of spending four years in a hell-hole refugee camp in Egypt.
But hours before he races for gold at 10.05pm on Wednesday (AEST), Bol has revealed this part of his story is grossly misunderstood.
'Despite what some people have said and written, we never lived in a refugee camp,' he wrote in a column for The West Australian.
Australian track star Peter Bol is ready to bring home a gold medal in the 800m final at the Tokyo Olympics
Bol revealed part of his dramatic origin story is grossly misunderstood: 'Despite what some people have said and written, we never lived in a refugee camp'
'People familiar with my story have probably heard it enough times but, as I am so proud of my journey, I will say it again.
'My family emigrated from Sudan to Egypt when I was four and it was our home for four years. Then it was to Toowoomba and Perth, Perth to Melbourne, airport to airport and athletics venue to athletics venue.'
The rest of his origin story, from fleeing war to a chance discovery of his talent at a school sports carnival, is all true - and life in Egypt was far from comfortable.
'I don't have much memories from back home in Sudan, there was a civil war at the time and we made a move to Egypt to come through to Australia,' he said in 2016.
'[In] Egypt, I just remember always being with my family, it was still a bit difficult to be in, it was a bit tough over there to live. It wasn't all good memories.
'We came to Australia for the obvious reason – Australia is one of the best countries in the world... I have been around a few countries and Australia is the best country to be in so my family definitely made the right choice.'
Bol is eternally grateful to his high school teacher Helen Leahy, who encouraged him to pursue a career on the track
The Sudanese-born middle distance runner is in the form of his life ahead of the 800m final at the Tokyo Games
Bol still feels that way as he prepares to race for an Olympic medal in Tokyo, and is grateful for the support of his adopted country.
'I feel the support of the whole nation behind me,' he wrote. 'The only energy is good energy, I am ready.'
Bol and his family arrived in Australia in 2004, settling in Queensland before moving to Perth where he took up a
