RE: Nijel Amos IAAF Interview - My God, What are We Doing Here?

that's the great thing about running - Ultimately, all the $$ spent on the best shoes, clothing, watches etc. make pretty much no difference whatsoever

Now that he is world class he does have all of the good stuff.

And deservedly so!

My concern is with the fact that many Americans who are not world class have so much more than hundreds - thousands - of African athletes who have run faster than any of them ever will. You could pull a guy out of one of the bare bones training camps in Iten and he would be able to mop the floor with a number of US pros that have cushy Nike deals.

The bigger issue is that Americans in general have it easier than Africans outside of the world of running.

That's life. Consider yourself lucky next time you here someone complain how bad America has become.

The good thing is that running provides hope for Africans.

The African "advantage" is that they have so many people desperate to succeed at running in order to have a good life.

Americans don't have to work so hard for things.

Those who have all of these nice things are able to have those things because of the value they create. You are conflating being talented in running fast as creating value.

Don't kid yourself - Amos' background was a disadvantage and hindrance. How healthy is he? That he is healthy enough to run is the result of extreme luck. How well nourished was he as a child, such that he would not be subject to stunting or other neurological damage? Again, extremely lucky.

All of this hardship did not, "make him a better runner". It perhaps made him a better competitor. But extreme poverty exacts a crushing toll. And the minute Amos cannot make money from running, he is done. Why the fuck would he waste his time doing something this stupid (in context) unless it pays to help himself and others.

maybe americans are mediocre BECAUSE they have all the affluence...?

So because Nigel Amos was born with more running talent than me he deserves the shoes that I paid for with the money I got working at my job? How does that make sense?

Lyndon LaRouche wrote:

Don't kid yourself - Amos' background was a disadvantage and hindrance. How healthy is he? That he is healthy enough to run is the result of extreme luck. How well nourished was he as a child, such that he would not be subject to stunting or other neurological damage? Again, extremely lucky.

All of this hardship did not, "make him a better runner". It perhaps made him a better competitor. But extreme poverty exacts a crushing toll. And the minute Amos cannot make money from running, he is done. Why the fuck would he waste his time doing something this stupid (in context) unless it pays to help himself and others.

This.

What skills does Amos have besides athletic prowess/talent that might elevate him out of being accidentally born into African poverty? OP what is your god damned point? He clearly had enough to get this far... The people buying overpriced shit aren't profeessional runners-- but they're professional somethings. Somethings that afford them the ability to buy overpriced widgets.

Are running widgits the measure of income inequality lol?

Like it or not, even 2nd tier Americans like Lauren Fleshman and Jordan Hasay likely provide more economic value to their sponsors than Amos does to his. If anything, an endless stream of African athletes who struggle with English, much less having eloquence in non-running expression have diluted the sport at the top level in terms of International interest. Haile provided a focal point of interest that rose above the fray, but guys like Amos are invisible to even diehard fans.

Deserve ain't got nothing to do with it, kid.

What's the Point Here? wrote:

What the heck are we doing here? We don't deserve any of this...

two bits wrote:

Those who have all of these nice things are able to have those things because of the value they create. You are conflating being talented in running fast as creating value.

Are you kidding?

My kids have some pretty nice things and they haven't created any value above the average African kid.

The biggest contributor to having nice things is based on who your parents are/where you were born.

Precisely. In the absence of value created (that is to say, if two people have created equally little value), then who is more deserving?

Is it not the individual who is willing to work hard and persevere through difficult conditions, rather than the pampered and spoiled child of a wealthy nation?

What's the Point Here? wrote:

Precisely. In the absence of value created (that is to say, if two people have created equally little value), then who is more deserving?

Is it not the individual who is willing to work hard and persevere through difficult conditions, rather than the pampered and spoiled child of a wealthy nation?

Amos was lucky to be born with world class running talent. I was lucky to be born in the USA. Why does he deserve my shoes?

Every person starts up the same, is the union of an egg and that one little sperm that could out run the rest. Some of us are lucky enough to plop out in a nice hospital in the burbs while others pop out in a field of rocks under a cow hide tent. I don't care what advantages people think poverty brings, I'll take the more affluent pair of balls over the poor ones any day.

it's not hard to donate to African relief efforts. It would be more difficult to promote programs that develop industry other than mining, heavily dependent on world commodity prices. However, things like heifer international and the organization that sells footpumps for wells and irrigation seem quite useful, as does the anti-malarial bed nets. There's no doubt that the desire to come from nothing is a drive that is hard to match in an area that doesn't require substantial technical assistance, and that describes running to a tee.

Star wrote:

two bits wrote:

Those who have all of these nice things are able to have those things because of the value they create. You are conflating being talented in running fast as creating value.

Are you kidding?

My kids have some pretty nice things and they haven't created any value above the average African kid.

The biggest contributor to having nice things is based on who your parents are/where you were born.

Okay, slight tweak....those who all of these nice things are able to have those things because of the value they create for those with wealth.

Go back Hillel House you troll. We know what you and your spoiled, must always have the best while trying to allow other nothing butt-hole slurping ilk are up to.

Star wrote:

two bits wrote:

Those who have all of these nice things are able to have those things because of the value they create. You are conflating being talented in running fast as creating value.

Are you kidding?

My kids have some pretty nice things and they haven't created any value above the average African kid.

The biggest contributor to having nice things is based on who your parents are/where you were born.

Your kids have no value to you? Why do you give them stuff then? Why don't you buy nice stuff for poor kids in Africa if you value them the same as your own kids?