so you live, work and train in the US....

[lillygator]

but when you want to qualify for the Olympics -USA is tossed aside!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

It goes both ways.

 

[Imzadi]

Well, where do the Jamaican bobsledders train? Snow is not indigenous to Jamaica.

 

[happygirl]

That really bugs me as well. I saw there was a girl from Austrilla sp? Who lived and trained here but was competing for them. I feel like it's a slap in the face to the USA JMO

 

[monkeyboy]

God Bless America ,,,,and no one else

 

[MiniGirl]

It goes both ways.

Does it? Seriously, I'm not being snarky. I really don't follow sports, but I do remember watching the Olympics as a kid and seeing the bios of the competitors. I saw many that lived and trained here but competed for their home country.

It doesn't really bother me that much. I mean if I did excel at a sport and could make it in a world class competition. No matter where I lived I'd want to compete for the USA. I'm sure others have the same affinity for their native homelands as well. I do admit to feeling a bit of pride in all the things our country afforded others though.

 

[IloveDMB]

It's quite simple actually. A lot of times they don't qualify for the USA team, as it's very competitive here, so they go and compete for their "home" country. It happens all the time. I don't begrudge these people the opportunity to compete in the Olympics, whether it be for us or another country who gives them the opportunity.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Does it? Seriously, I'm not being snarky. I really don't follow sports, but I do remember watching the Olympics as a kid and seeing the bios of the competitors. I saw many that lived and trained here but competed for their home country.

It doesn't really bother me that much. I mean if I did excel at a sport and could make it in a world class competition. No matter where I lived I'd want to compete for the USA. I'm sure others have the same affinity for their native homelands as well. I do admit to feeling a bit of pride in all the things our country afforded others though.

Frankly I do not understand the hostility? Of course you compete for your home country.

ETA...We are watching the Daytona 500 here. Go Earnhardt!!

 

[Imzadi]

No matter where I lived I'd want to compete for the USA.

What's the Olympic qualification to be able to compete for a particular country? Is it being native born? Is it having lived in that country for years or being a current citizen?

Doesn't Yeo Ming compete for the U.S. for baseball?

Personally, if I was able to compete, when/if I won, I'd want to see my home country's flag being raised. I'd compete as a representative for my country, not the place I trained. (Although I do think it's odd to spend one's life in a different country training. But, if the best skiing is in Switzerland, that's where I'd train.)

 

[Allison]

It's quite simple actually. A lot of times they don't qualify for the USA team, as it's very competitive here, so they go and compete for their "home" country. It happens all the time. I don't begrudge these people the opportunity to compete in the Olympics, whether it be for us or another country who gives them the opportunity.

Nor do I.

A man won today in Nordic combined who was born in Montana but has always raced for France. His father is French. There's nothing wrong with that choice.

 

[MiniGirl]

Frankly I do not understand the hostility? Of course you compete for your home country.

I'm not quite sure why I was quoted since I clearly stated that it doesn't bother me when they do. I have no hostility about it at all. You stated that "It goes both ways." I thought by that you meant there are Americans who live and train overseas but compete for the USA team. I was just asking for an example since I don't know of any. Like I said, I don't follow sports all that much. Again, I wasn't trying to be snarky. I was simply just curious. I'm always fascinated by ex-pats (esp. American ones) and what it is that brings them to another country to live and work.

I'm sorry if I misunderstood your post. My apologies.

 

[IloveDMB]

Doesn't Yeo Ming compete for the U.S. for baseball?

Sorry, he's a basketball player, and at the Beijing olympics, he carried the flag for the Chinese contingency.

 

[IloveDMB]

Oh and an FYI, USA speedskater Shani Davis lives and trains in the Netherlands, but competes for the USA. How do you feel about that snub for the Netherlands?

 

[lillygator]

we had people over and this became a topic.....much like beauty pagents....you don't win your county (for example) you go to another.

 

[DebbieB]

I think there are rules about what country you can compete for. I don't think you can just choose a country. I think it goes by birthplace or parent's birthplace.

 

[bballmom56]

Doesn't Yeo Ming compete for the U.S. for baseball?

No. He competed for China in basketball. And Canadian Steve Nash competed for Canada. And other NBA players compete for their home countries, not the USA.

 

[lillygator]

Oh and an FYI, USA speedskater Shani Davis lives and trains in the Netherlands, but competes for the USA. How do you feel about that snub for the Netherlands?

why doesn't she compete for the Netherlands?

 

[happygirl]

Oh and an FYI, USA speedskater Shani Davis lives and trains in the Netherlands, but competes for the USA. How do you feel about that snub for the Netherlands?

I think he should compete for the Netherlands JMO

 

[IloveDMB]

why doesn't she compete for the Netherlands?

Well, firstly, he's a male. And I don't know why, never had the opportunity to ask him.

 

[MouseMomx2]

why doesn't she compete for the Netherlands?

Because he is a US citizen. It isn't based on where you train. These athletes aren't receiving free training from the countries where they live so I don't see what the big deal is. They can choose to live/train wherever they want to and compete for their home country. No biggie.