Dominic Lobalu chases his Olympic dream in On’s new short film
On revisits the journey of refugee athlete Dominic Lobalu in the third installment of its 'Dream Together' series.
ZURICH, Switzerland, August 8, 2024 - On proudly presents the launch of its new short film, "To Chase a Dream," the third installment in the acclaimed 'Dream Together' series. The film revisits runner Dominic Lobalu, picking up his story from where the On feature film "The Right to Race" left off in 2023. It continues Dominic’s inspiring journey from the war-torn region of South Sudan to the gold medal at the European Championships in Rome and further toward his Olympic dream.
"To Chase a Dream" captures the essence of Dominic’s perseverance and follows his struggles to gain recognition by World Athletics as an international contender representing his new home country of Switzerland.
“I don’t feel bad when people tell me that I have no home country. It’s true that I am a refugee. But when I put on my shoes and run, there is one thing I think about. How is my story going to end?”, Dominic says at the beginning of the film.
Orphaned at just 9 years old due to civil war in South Sudan, Dominic Lobalu escaped to a refugee camp in northern Kenya. His talent was discovered on the streets of Nairobi when he was 15, eventually leading him to join the Athlete Refugee Team. In 2019, while in Geneva for an international competition, Dominic sought asylum in Switzerland—a move that saw him relinquish his eligibility to compete for the refugee team.
Aged 21, a chance encounter brought Dominic together with Swiss running coach Markus Hagmann, who became his mentor and coach, nurturing his mental and physical prowess as a competitive athlete. Step by step, Dominic developed into a world-class runner and was also granted a permit to live in Switzerland.
He won his first Diamond League title in June 2022 and became eligible to compete in national championships, winning his first official Swiss national title in 2024. Still, he remained barred from international championships due to his ineligibility to represent either the athlete refugee team or Switzerland, the country that he now lives in.
This is the reality that Dominic grapples with in “To Chase a Dream” when a new development in his case finally unlocks the impasse: he is granted the right to race for his adopted nation of Switzerland at the European Athletics Championships in Rome. Dominic repays the efforts undertaken to get him on the start line by winning a bronze medal in the 5,000m and claiming the title of 10,000m European Champion on his very first try.
“The people here have so much love for me, even though what I am doing is too little to deserve their love for a stranger like me. When I am here, I feel like I am in my homeland and it’s a place I call home. Now, I feel like I want to do more and more and more. I want to go for the big medals”, Dominic says.
The compelling narrative showcases Dominic's relentless pursuit of his dream and the depth of support he has found with his team and the people in Switzerland. Shot on location in his hometown of St. Gallen and in Rome, “To Chase a Dream” chronicles the perpetual developments, setbacks, and ultimate climax of his story as he gets ready to compete at the Olympic Games in Paris next.
“It’s no secret that Dominic’s backstory has been covered in the previous 30-minute documentary ‘The Right to Race’. Profiling the same character again required that we approach with a fresh context, visual approach and thematic takeaway. The story vividly illustrates how being a top runner represents not just a competitive achievement but a deeply personal story of resilience and the support of many. We were aiming to reveal the layers of Dominic and his team’s collective dream as his story continues to evolve and his dreams come within reach”, director J.M. Harper says.
You can find high-res imagery for editorial usage here (© On).
About the “Dream Together” series
The "Dream Together" series has captivated audiences worldwide with its intimate portrayals of four extraordinary athletes and their support systems. Each episode explores a unique theme, revealing the unifying power of shared dreams and the importance of the collective journey toward excellence.
Episode Breakdown:
- Beyond Number One (Iga Świątek) - The tennis sensation and World No. 1 shares her journey of self-discovery and the importance of her team.
- The Heart to Race (Hellen Obiri & Sinta Vissa - The bond between these On Athletics Club athletes exemplifies the power of collaboration and mentorship.
- To chase a Dream (Dominic Lobalu) - From a war-torn region in South Sudan to the global stage of running, Dominic's journey embodies resilience and determination.
On worked with directors J.M. Harper, Hector Aponysus, and the renowned production house Park Pictures to bring this vision to life. Shot in Palm Springs, USA, Warsaw, Poland, St. Gallen, Switzerland, and Boulder, USA, the series features a transcendent, impressionistic style that captures the essence of both physical and emotional reality.
“Dream Together is not just a series; it's a celebration of the human spirit and the collective journey towards excellence,” says On Film & Documentary Lead Gessica Giulini. “We wanted to remind everyone that while we might be powerful alone, we are unstoppable when united. We encourage everyone to embrace and chase their dreams.”
About On
On was born in the Swiss Alps in 2010 with the mission to ignite the human spirit through movement – a mission that still guides the brand today. Fourteen years after market launch, On delivers industry-disrupting innovation in premium footwear, apparel and accessories for high-performance running, outdoor, training, all-day activities and tennis. On’s award-winning CloudTec® innovation, purposeful design and groundbreaking strides within the circular economy have attracted a fast-growing global fan base – inspiring humans to explore, discover and Dream On.
On is present in more than 60 countries globally and engages with a digital community on www.on.com.