Athletes training in one country, but competing for another

[Jennasis]

You go where the opportunities are. Should you be stuck with subpar coaches or facilities if you can get it elsewhere?

 

[PlutoPony]

In some cases, having other athletes train in the US benefits the American athlete. For example - Mo Farah, an elite level British distance runner, came to train in the US under Alberto Salazar a couple years ago. His training partner is Galen Rupp of the US, who is by far the best male distance runner we have right now. Before Farah came here, Rupp didn't really have anyone who could push him in practice.

Last night in the 10,000 meter race, Farah came in 1st and Rupp a surprise 2nd. This was a HUGE deal in the track world, this race is usually dominated by those from East African countries. That's only the 3rd American medal in that race EVER going back to 1914 I think. Rupp and Salazar both say that wouldn't have happened had Farah not come here to train

 

[Allison]

So would you rather have people from other countries who come here to train compete for the U.S. and push out athletes who are from the U.S.?

I do not see where a person trains has anything to do with it. Athletes compete for countries where they have citizenship.

Do you want our athletes who train outside the U.S. to compete for those countries? That would certainly seem odd to me.

 

[crashbb]

You go where the opportunities are. Should you be stuck with subpar coaches or facilities if you can get it elsewhere?

And these athletes are paying for the coaches and facilities - bringing money into the countries in which they are training. Seems like a win-win to me, not an athlete "taking advantage" of the US.

 

[Planogirl]

Plenty of US athletes train in other countries for various reasons. Getting upset about this makes no sense IMO.

 

[merryweather20]

OP Do Kristi Yamaguchi's medal's mean less to you than Tara Lipinski's?

Is Kristi less American to you?

 

[Gumbo4x4]

My understanding is also that it happens if they don't qualify for us, they sometimes can qualify for another country. More power to them.

I have to say that actually kind of bothers me more than the original question. At some point, I think you should have to declare a "team" and stick to it.

 

[joviroxx]

This all sounds a bit silly to me. There are many US basketball players that play in European leagues, they shouldnt be allowed to play for the US? How about soccer players. David Beckham plays for LA, if he still could , he shouldn't be allowed to play for UK?

As far as playing for different countries, well ,here in the US we have the best of the best. But if you can't make it here, I see no issue with someone trying to fulfill their dream of competing at the Olympics with another country. I mean really, are we THAT selfish? Most athletes are not going to win medals, they just want to take part. I don't blame them one bit for doing anything they can to be a part of it all.

 

[LisaR]

This all sounds a bit silly to me. There are many US basketball players that play in European leagues, they shouldnt be allowed to play for the US? How about soccer players. David Beckham plays for LA, if he still could , he shouldn't be allowed to play for UK?

As far as playing for different countries, well ,here in the US we have the best of the best. But if you can't make it here, I see no issue with someone trying to fulfill their dream of competing at the Olympics with another country. I mean really, are we THAT selfish? Most athletes are not going to win medals, they just want to take part. I don't blame them one bit for doing anything they can to be a part of it all.

I see your point on this. I am pretty patriotic so I can't imagine competing for a country that I haven't stepped foot in since I was born. If lucky enough to win, I can't imagine hearing an anthem that I don't even know the words to. Of course, I am not an athlete so some obviously have a different mindset than I do. In their case, their participation in their sport trumps their patriotism to their country. I don't necessarily mean that in a bad way. I just mean that they have to prioritize. If they don't have any chance in the US and another country is willing to allow them to compete, they need to set aside their patriotism for an opportunity to participate, I guess. Not sure I could do that but some obviously can.

 

[ncmickeyluvr]

While watching men's volleyball the other day, the announcer mentioned that much of the US men's volleyball team played professional volleyball in other countries because there was not a pro league available in the USA. I think he specifically said that many of them played in Russia. Should they be kept off of the USA team?

 

[ICF]

This never even crossed my mind as being an issue......

 

[castleview]

Doesn't bother me at all.

Though, I joked that I've trained alongside Olympians at my gym because I knew a few girls that would be ranked 68th nationally (still not bad), but received citizenship in countries who hardly had a gymnastics program just so they could compete in the Olympics.

But it seems you're talking about people who live somewhere else but compete for their home country. No problem for me. Swimmers and track athletes might find it refreshing since they seem to live in a constant college atmosphere. That would drive me nuts.

 

[castleview]

I don't know what the solution would be. Honestly, I don't need a solution..it bothers me, yes, but on the peeve level, and a part of me feels guilty for feeling that way! Anyway, interesting article I came across when googling..gotta love google.

NCAA Teams That Train the Enemy from the WSJ.

Having seen that article, I do think public universities should be investing in American athletes.

 

[joviroxx]

I see your point on this. I am pretty patriotic so I can't imagine competing for a country that I haven't stepped foot in since I was born. If lucky enough to win, I can't imagine hearing an anthem that I don't even know the words to. Of course, I am not an athlete so some obviously have a different mindset than I do. In their case, their participation in their sport trumps their patriotism to their country. I don't necessarily mean that in a bad way. I just mean that they have to prioritize. If they don't have any chance in the US and another country is willing to allow them to compete, they need to set aside their patriotism for an opportunity to participate, I guess. Not sure I could do that but some obviously can.

Im right there with you. Im as patriotic as they come and don't think Id enjoy having to listen to another country's anthem. But then again, I think, I see people like my husband who was brought up soooo Italian that he has a special connection to the country and might not mind competing for Italy.

 

[castleview]

Im right there with you. Im as patriotic as they come and don't think Id enjoy having to listen to another country's anthem. But then again, I think, I see people like my husband who was brought up soooo Italian that he has a special connection to the country and might not mind competing for Italy.

Funny…I'm thinking of the Russian girl that won the Ice Dancing in 2002 for France and the French national anthem meant nothing to her (look on face said all)

 

[cornflake]

Funny…I'm thinking of the Russian girl that won the Ice Dancing in 2002 for France and the French national anthem meant nothing to her (look on face said all)

That's hardly a fair judge though; I mean you don't know why she wasn't crying or whatever you'd think she should've done. I was born and raised here and the American anthem means less than nothing to me. Were I up on an Olympic podium I'd hardly be singing along and stuff, but wouldn't mean I wasn't happy to win!

 

[AverageDiser]

OP Do Kristi Yamaguchi's medal's mean less to you than Tara Lipinski's?

Is Kristi less American to you?

No, not at all..Kristi is as American as Tara. It's not a race issue.

 

[crashbb]

No, not at all..Kristi is as American as Tara. It's not a race issue.

I think the point is that Kristi, before winning an Olympic medal for the US, trained in Canada.

 

[AverageDiser]

I have to admit I keep hoping that someone else bothered by this would chime in, but understand why they don't. I started the topic with my flameproof suit on, and have been happy with how relatively respectful most have been so far. As I've mentioned, it feels bizarre for something like this to peeve me, but it does. Finding the WSJ article does make me feel somewhat better though. Will be curious to see what anyone else has to contribute

 

[AverageDiser]

I think the point is that Kristi, before winning an Olympic medal for the US, trained in Canada.

Thank you...I hadn't realized that, and the comment threw me off.

Kristi appears to have followed her coach to Canada after the 89 Worlds. If she was always going to Canada to train, yes, it would bother me because of the caliber of coaching we have here in the US...there's no need for a US skater to train elsewhere. On the other hand, Kristi started training with her at a young age, and I certainly understand her desire to continue with the same coach. Again, not saying there are easy answers, or that the way I feel is "right", but it's the way I feel.