JUDY WOODRUFF, CNN ANCHOR: At the Games in Sydney, the four athletes from East Timor are making their homeland proud, regardless of whether they win or lose. Here's CNN's John Raedler.</s>JOHN RAEDLER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): A funny thing happened to Aguida Amaral on her way to finishing the marathon.</s>AGUIDA AMARAL, EAST TIMOR OLYMPIC ATHLETE (through translator): This photo shows me thanking God that I have finished the race.</s>RAEDLER: But the official is pointing out to her, she has another lap to go. She did finish -- in 43rd place. Not bad, considering this: Amaral is from East Timor, which was wracked by violence last year after its people voted for independence from Indonesia. It is still not a sovereign country, but the International Olympic Committee allowed four East Timorese to compete in the Sydney Games as individuals: Amaral, another marathon runner, a weightlifter and a boxer.</s>FRANK FOLIE, U.N. OFFICIAL: They've performed as well as they can. They've done so with dignity. They've done so with strength.</s>RAEDLER: U.N. officials say just the appearance of East Timor in these Olympic Games will be a tonic for the hundreds of thousands of people living in the long-troubled territory.</s>FOLIE: So, I think there'll be a great community celebration. And I think that will have a positive effect.</s>RAEDLER: For now, though, Amaral and her fellow marathon runner, Calisto da Costa, are content to practice their English.</s>AMARAL: Goodbye. We come. We thank you. Come and visit. Thank you.</s>CALISTO DA COSTA, EAST TIMOR OLYMPIC ATHLETE: Thank you very much. Thank you very much. Goodbye.</s>RAEDLER: John Raedler, CNN, Sydney.
Win or Lose, East Timorese Olympic Athletes Make Homeland Proud