Peter Callahan is running for Belgium!!

Callahan's a nice irish name, at least pappas has a greek name

Why don't european countries develop an NCAA like college sports system so they can get some Olympic qualifiers? Isn't it embarassing that your country can't field a full team (or in some cases even a single athlete) for major track and field events.

Instinct22 wrote:

Peter Callahan, just got accepted by the IAAF to compete for Belgium at the European Championship and Olympic Games (if he runs the A standard)!

Source?

check out his flotrack post - he is a native belgian citizen

Good for him.

from article

I am a Belgian citizen by birth, and have considered competing for a Belgian national team for many years. Though I was born in the U.S., my mother is from Antwerp, and my brothers and I were incredibly lucky to spend every summer growing up on the Belgian coast

Torrence running for Peru?

Trialswatcher wrote:

Torrence running for Peru?

I don't think drinking cold Inca Cola is enough to get you citizenship

But he is going to stay here in the US and use our coaches and facilities? If Belgium is so damn wonderful, move there and be a real Belgian.

Just kidding. Go have fun. Chase that 3:36.19.

Trialswatcher wrote:

Torrence running for Peru?

That's what I've heard is coming.

the Africans are doing it by running for European countries now. We can too?

I would say that this is tricky. I was born and raised in the US and at 27 got married to a Spanish girl, moved to Spain and started a family. My daughter was born in Spain to an American father and a Spanish mother, a Catalán first name, a very American last name and a Spanish second last name. Her father works full-time and can only go see his family once orntwice a year- holidays, summer vacation, etc. She speak english with american nuances, eats american food, has a full-blown relationship with her american extended family. Is she American? The US goverment says that she absolutely is. I am happy for Callahan.

sprouts and such wrote:

from article

I am a Belgian citizen by birth, and have considered competing for a Belgian national team for many years. Though I was born in the U.S., my mother is from Antwerp, and my brothers and I were incredibly lucky to spend every summer growing up on the Belgian coast

At least he has spent a lot of time in the country he will represent.

I have been to Belgium and could live there easily. Beautiful place that makes some of the world's best beers.

How many more runners do they need to fill out their team?

joho wrote:

sprouts and such wrote:

from article

I am a Belgian citizen by birth, and have considered competing for a Belgian national team for many years. Though I was born in the U.S., my mother is from Antwerp, and my brothers and I were incredibly lucky to spend every summer growing up on the Belgian coast

At least he has spent a lot of time in the country he will represent.

I have been to Belgium and could live there easily. Beautiful place that makes some of the world's best beers.

How many more runners do they need to fill out their team?

Has Peter always been a dual citizen? Don't have an issue when a parent is Belgian, but when Greece (Pappas) gives you citizenship without any residency due to GRANDparentage........is that too much of a stretch?

Hopefully the Belgian selection committee is not as particular in their selection criteria as Great Britain is.

I am one of the first people to call-out country jumpers, but at least in Callahan's case, he has some Belgium cred. He is a Belgium citizen and didn't become one for the purpose of running, he speaks the language, spent a considerable amount of time there and thought about it for a long time. FTR, personally, I think country jumping is one of the worst offenses in sports behind doping and age fraud.

I don't know who this is. I assume he's never done anything since I only follow top diamond league races and his name isn't familiar.

sbeefyk1 wrote:

I don't know who this is. I assume he's never done anything since I only follow top diamond league races and his name isn't familiar.

miler for princeton where he anchored an indoor dmr ncaa title and transferred to new mexico for a grad year. finished 3rd or 4th once in the 1500 outdoors behind lawi and fleet.

jk he finished 4th in 14' and 15'. around 3:39 PR in college