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Times could hardly seem more grim in Russia following the attempted coup and the breakup of the Soviet Union. Shortages of all kinds impact daily life in Moscow. Lines several hours long are commonplace. But the people rely on sports to keep them…

Sam Rampa washes up in a room he shares with his cousin.

Sam Rampa, the national black high school champion at 200 and 400 meters, works out with a section of railroad track. Rampa, 22, had no money for shoes or clothes so he took off from high school to work in the gold mines. 'When I have money, I…

Sam Rampa(Nike T-shirt) joins Mokoena(third from left) and other young runners as they do wind sprints on a grassy field near a track built for wheelchair races. The morning smog is caused by coal stoves used in nearby homes.

Maria Mokoena helps with chores at her grandmother's home in Soweto while she carries her one year old brother, Siphiwe, on her back. She shares the tiny stucco box with 10 relatives.

Maria Mokena rises before light breaks to run 15 minutes to make it on time to the only track in Soweto.

At Soweto's Diepkloff Park, schoolkids bounced on an old trampoline. There are few coaches for track and field and only one track.

From Soweto, it's a hard run to glory. South Africa is back in the Olympics, but its black athletes have a long way to go. This is not the story of the 5 black athletes that will be part of a 16 member track and field team for this year's Olympics…

But a few beers before and after the game make the boys realize it is just for fun.

Defeat come hard to the boys of summer.