Athletes training in one country, but competing for another

[AverageDiser]

Does it bother you that so many athletes come to the US to train, then compete for a different country? Although it probably shouldn't bother me (ie, I understand why they do it), it does bother me to some extent. It also happens in some other countries, Australia, I know, and I'm sure a few others. Thoughts?

 

[sookie]

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.

 

[DisMN]

What bothers you about it?
I can't imagine caring about it even a little bit. LOL

 

[cornflake]

I'm missing something...why would this bother me?

 

[Hrhpd]

Does it bother you that so many athletes come to the US to train, then compete for a different country? Although it probably shouldn't bother me (ie, I understand why they do it), it does bother me to some extent. It also happens in some other countries, Australia, I know, and I'm sure a few others. Thoughts?

Nope, doesn't bother me at all since Americans do it all the time. Skiers follow the snow and go South of the equator to train during our summers. One of our swim coaches was a world class triathlete and when she went into serious training mode, she spent our winters in South America training.

 

[LisaR]

That doesn't bother me at all. What bothers is the person that resides in the US, is a US citizen, lives, works, and goes to school here, and ends up competing for another country.

We have a local girl that is competing in indoor volleyball for another country. We were so excited to have someone local but bothered by the fact that she isn't representing us. I'm guessing she didn't qualify for the US team. She does have dual citizenship because she was born elsewhere but moved here when she was under a year. It is certainly her right and she isn't doing anything illegal but it does bug me.

 

[AverageDiser]

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 completely understand that. What bothers me is when they come to the US specifically to train for elite level competition, with the sole purpose of taking advantage of US training techniques/coaches to go back and compete for their home country.

What bothers you about it?
I can't imagine caring about it even a little bit. LOL

I guess it's the thought that if someone is going to come here and take advantage (as I stated above) they should use that advantage to compete for the US. (Or whatever country they're training in.)

Nope, doesn't bother me at all since Americans do it all the time. Skiers follow the snow and go South of the equator to train during our summers. One of our swim coaches was a world class triathlete and when she went into serious training mode, she spent our winters in South America training.

See my explanation above, I don't mean coming to take advantage of the weather, or with their own coaches. That doesn't bother me at all.

 

[cornflake]

That doesn't bother me at all. What bothers is the person that resides in the US, is a US citizen, lives, works, and goes to school here, and ends up competing for another country.

We have a local girl that is competing in indoor volleyball for another country. We were so excited to have someone local but bothered by the fact that she isn't representing us. I'm guessing she didn't qualify for the US team. She does have dual citizenship because she was born elsewhere but moved here when she was under a year. It is certainly her right and she isn't doing anything illegal but it does bug me.

Why? Those people are just lucky to have other citizenship possibilities. Smaller pools other places.

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

I completely understand that. What bothers me is when they come to the US specifically to train for elite level competition, with the sole purpose of taking advantage of US training techniques/coaches to go back and compete for their home country.



I guess it's the thought that if someone is going to come here and take advantage (as I stated above) they should use that advantage to compete for the US. (Or whatever country they're training in.)



See my explanation above, I don't mean coming to take advantage of the weather, or with their own coaches. That doesn't bother me at all.

I don't see how purchasing coaching in the US is "taking advantage" . . . As others have said, few of these athletes have the option of competing for the US. Some won't make the qualifications for a larger country, and some don't have US citizenship.

 

[Hrhpd]

See my explanation above, I don't mean coming to take advantage of the weather, or with their own coaches. That doesn't bother me at all.

All the elite athletes I know don't drag their coaches to other countries. They take advantage of the great coaches in those countries. For instance, I have known swimmers who train in Australia for both the weather and the outstanding coaches they have there.

If people from abroad want to visit here and pay our coaches, contributing to our economy, the more power to them.

It only makes the win sweeter when our athletes prevail over other athletes with the same training .

 

[A_Princess'_Daddy]

I completely understand that. What bothers me is when they come to the US specifically to train for elite level competition, with the sole purpose of taking advantage of US training techniques/coaches to go back and compete for their home country.



I guess it's the thought that if someone is going to come here and take advantage (as I stated above) they should use that advantage to compete for the US. (Or whatever country they're training in.)



See my explanation above, I don't mean coming to take advantage of the weather, or with their own coaches. That doesn't bother me at all.

I assume they are paying for their coaching, though, and if they aren't Americans or residents of the USA, I don't think the USOC would let them compete for the USA, regardless of whether they even have a desire to do so. I don't understand why it would be an issue.

 

[rigs32]

So athletes from underdeveloped countries should be stuck with local training facilities? It's the athlete that competes, not their coach or training facility. That would lead to even more disparity and many athletes would never meet their full potential.

IOC rules are set for a reason. If someone doesn't qualify for the US team but does qualify for another country, it's not likely they will medal. I'm glad they get to compete. Other countries could decide not to allow them.

 

[sissy_ib]

I don't follow sports at all, but I was surprised to learn today that Tony Parker is playing for France. He grew up there and moved to the U.S. to play in the NBA. I does not bother me at all that athletes do this. I think it is good they can go play for their home country.

 

[AverageDiser]

I completely admit that logically, I understand the reasoning. I understand that letting others come here (particularly from underdeveloped/third world countries) is the right thing to do. But it still bothers me. Doesn't make sense to me either, just one of those things, I guess.

An example..an international athlete that expresses their interest to a college..comes here, attends the college, takes advantage of the world class coaching (think track & field, water polo, volleyball..among others), then competes for a different country. More than likely they are not paying full tuition, and of course, the college is happy to have them and add their depth to the team..but the athlete is also benefitting. And I don't mean athletes that couldn't make the cut for the US teams, I mean the stars. As for the citizenship thing..I've never heard of an elite level athlete applying for citizenship here and not getting it. Was much more common during the cold war years, but I would *think* the result would be the same today.

 

[cornflake]

I completely admit that logically, I understand the reasoning. I understand that letting others come here (particularly from underdeveloped/third world countries) is the right thing to do. But it still bothers me. Doesn't make sense to me either, just one of those things, I guess.

An example..an international athlete that expresses their interest to a college..comes here, attends the college, takes advantage of the world class coaching (think track & field, water polo, volleyball..among others), then competes for a different country. More than likely they are not paying full tuition, and of course, the college is happy to have them and add their depth to the team..but the athlete is also benefitting. And I don't mean athletes that couldn't make the cut for the US teams, I mean the stars. As for the citizenship thing..I've never heard of an elite level athlete applying for citizenship here and not getting it. Was much more common during the cold war years, but I would *think* the result would be the same today.

The 'taking advantage' language sort of bothers me, though it can be and is used neutrally, obviously, but...

As you point out, universities that recruit players from other countries do so for their own benefit. The schools get considerably more benefit than tuition is worth by having star athletes. Yes, the athletes are also benefiting but schools wouldn't be doing it if it were a wash, they're betting they'll come out way ahead.

Ok, why would they apply for citizenship here? To compete here just because they happen to train here? They should denounce their own citizenship??

Nevermind that that would, in many cases, then put them out of contention for events like these. Ask Brett Hull.

 

[miss.potatohead]

The US College system provides so many more opportunities for Australian athletes across multiple sports. Genevieve LaCaze competed in the Womens Steeple yesterday for Australia, although she goes to college and competes for Florida. She got the qualifier one day AFTER the Australian qualifying period closed, a full month or so before other nations closed their period. Pressure on our athletic body saw her included in the team. She ran a PB. Yes her coaching in the states would have definitely helped her get to where she is. But she may not have achieved that had she stayed in Australia. She is representing not only herself and Australia but also her college. I don't see any issue with it. Athlete's have to do what's best for them to achieve all their goals and if that means going overseas to do so, then that's what they have to do. It's not like they are taking a position on the team from an American athlete.

I have many friends who are currently/soon to be moving over to the states to start college, and yes, they are all on scholarships. They have said they wouldn't go if there wasn't a clear benefit and that benefit is to improve their skills in a stronger and more competitive competition. We have nothing like the NCAA here. If we did, maybe our athlete's wouldn't have to go overseas. Take it as a compliment.

 

[abdmom]

I have an ex-student who trains in China during the summer because that's where the coach is. Should she be try out for the Chinese Olympic team instead?

 

[A_Princess'_Daddy]

As you point out, universities that recruit players from other countries do so for their own benefit. The schools get considerably more benefit than tuition is worth by having star athletes. Yes, the athletes are also benefiting but schools wouldn't be doing it if it were a wash, they're betting they'll come out way ahead.

Not to mention the obvious advantage to the American colleges and universities that are then able to brag about the many Olympians who ran on their track team, swam for their swim team, played water polo for their water polo team, and so on...It's a huge recruiting tool as well as a great alumni engagement and marketing tool for a college to say "we have Olympians from four nations on our teams."

 

[topolino]

So they should renounce their citizenship to a country that they call home just because they spent some time training in another country?

 

[AverageDiser]

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.