Disturbing - USA national uniforms @ NYC Marathon

This was a U.S. championship event for Shalane.

Actually, Jorge Torres is sponsored by Reebok and thus wouldn't wear a Nike uni unless required as entry in the competition (i.e. WC or Olympics). Plus he wasn't part of the "Rookies vs The World" hype. Of course, Hall wore the custom USA Asics uni for Boston, so apparently sponsor isn't necessarily a barrier. I agree that it's cheap, but then I don't like people draping themselves in their nations' flags after they finish a race, either, and that seems to be a minority opinion.

Mr. Obvious wrote:

This was a U.S. championship event for Shalane.

So wear your club uniform as you would for any other national championship.

Lots of us complain about marathons becoming events rather than races and it cheapens the sport.

The usual response is that you should relax, it doesn't hurt anything and shouldn't be so up tight.

You are about to get the same type of resonses.

"responses"

So now wearing your national jersey in an international field is disrespectful?

Jeez, I don't understand some people. Everyone I watched the race with last year thought it was a great moment for America when Meb crossed the line in first with the big USA on his chest.

Maybe it was so the Americans watching the race could distinguish Meb from the other East Africans.

Silly Old Fossil wrote:

I find it disturbing & demeaning that pro runners Meb, Ritz, Tim Nelson, Shalane ran a non-championship event (NYC marathon) in a uniform it is supposed to be an honor to earn and wear. Last time I checked NYC wasn't Olympics, World Champs, or even Pan Americans.

This has Mary Wittenberg's stink all over it.

All this does is cheapen and soil a national institution...the USA uniform.

Did you see Jorge Torres running in a USA uni....no, he has too much class and dignity.

NYC is just another race; it is not a championship event.

PS. At least Shalane's bib covered the USA.

You're right....big deal...it's just a piece of fabric (sarcasm intended).

But please....let's have a meaningful dialogue on this.

It's the shoe company that picks the uniform. The Road Runners ask the managers what uniform the elites will be wearing so that they can include it in their media guide.

I'm not even American, and I thought it was contrived. It ISN"T an International fixture against other countries - in other words no different than Chicago, London, etc.(even if there is a National championship involved), I agree with SOF here. Wearing a National Team uniform should be saved for occasions that demand it. The only way that Meb (or anyone else) should have worn a USA singlet is if the USATF had somehow sponsored his entry - as they do at International meets (championships, etc.). It shouldn't have to be a "great moment", as that really panders to a low-level appreciation for the sport. Again the NYC takes on the persona of a freak-show, not a sporting event. While I applaud the nature of non-paced racing here, that too makes this race second-rate International race (except for Americans) compared to other races now. It has become solely about the money and Americans.

End of thread.Winner:

craigmac4h wrote:

So now wearing your national jersey in an international field is disrespectful?

Jeez, I don't understand some people. Everyone I watched the race with last year thought it was a great moment for America when Meb crossed the line in first with the big USA on his chest.

craigmac4h wrote:

So now wearing your national jersey in an international field is disrespectful?

Jeez, I don't understand some people. Everyone I watched the race with last year thought it was a great moment for America when Meb crossed the line in first with the big USA on his chest.

The Zurich Weltklasse meet is an international field, but Ritz doesn't wear his USA national uniform there.

NYC is not an international championship...it's just another marathon.

OTC doesn't wear USA uniforms at the Pre meet...why not?

Shouldn't USA T&F monitor when & where national uniforms are to be worn????

Silly Old Fossil wrote:

OTC doesn't wear USA uniforms at the Pre meet...why not?

Shouldn't USA T&F monitor when & where national uniforms are to be worn????

Why?

Hasn't Meb worn his USA uni previously, at NYCM, London, and Boston? Not saying I like it or that justifies it, just that NYCM is not the only one responsible for this sort of thing. Note that Meb did NOT wear his USA uni for the OT in NYC. It may have more to do with sponsors and agents than anything else.

As far as I am concerned they have earned the right to wear the uniform any time and any place they choose.

+1

I'm just saying wrote:

Maybe it was so the Americans watching the race could distinguish Meb from the other East Africans.

malmo wrote:

Silly Old Fossil wrote:

OTC doesn't wear USA uniforms at the Pre meet...why not?

Shouldn't USA T&F monitor when & where national uniforms are to be worn????

Why?

Why???? Malmo, because every Tom, Dick & Harry will be wearing the USA national uniform at their local hobbyjogger 5km....classless though that is.

Malmo, didn't your heart "a flutter with pride" the first time you pulled on that first USA uniform at 1977 World Cup in Dusseldorf? Didn't Euan Robertson give you a measure of respect because you "earned" that USA vest, and not because you paid some entry fee????

To wear the USA national uniform shouldn't you be representing the USA...how is Meb/Ritz representing the USA at NYC marathon????? They didn't go through any selection process.

Malmo, following your logic Robin Quivers was equally within her rights to wear a USA vest. Why not the Chilean miner????

Pardon me for being a purist.

If you noticed.

Ritz wore a Red uni.

Meb wore a White.

And Nelson wore a Blue.

I thought it was pretty awesome. Its a win-win. If they had come top 5, they most likely would have been seen on camera in a Nike USA uni. I thought that would be pretty cool.

Silly Old Fossil wrote:

Pardon me for being a purist.

Honestly, if USATF could make a huge sum of money by selling singlets to hobby joggers and do a much better job of supporting elite runners I would be in favor of that. Not sure why the Chilean miner would wear one, as he is not a USAian. Let him wear a Chilean national uniform.

i forget, why does this really matter again?