If Rai Benjamin doesn't run the 400m hurdles in Lausanne he can't run the DL final and we may not get Samba v Benjamin in'18

These guys against each other in peak shape would make a run at the world record. It's only 1/4 second away. I think they are being unwise not going for it this season, as you never know when your window closes as a track and field athlete.

The broadcast mentioned today that he is getting his US citizenship later this year. With the IAAF hold on changing nations who knows when he will be able to represent the USA at Worlds or Olympics.

jenapharm wrote:

The broadcast mentioned today that he is getting his US citizenship later this year. With the IAAF hold on changing nations who knows when he will be able to represent the USA at Worlds or Olympics.

What? He's a natural-born US citizen...

Hardloper wrote:

jenapharm wrote:

The broadcast mentioned today that he is getting his US citizenship later this year. With the IAAF hold on changing nations who knows when he will be able to represent the USA at Worlds or Olympics.

What? He's a natural-born US citizen...

Not sure about that - he did run for one of the island nations at some meet a few years ago and now is looking to get his nationality switched - as of now he is not able to compete for the USA.

jenapharm wrote:

Hardloper wrote:

What? He's a natural-born US citizen...

Not sure about that - he did run for one of the island nations at some meet a few years ago and now is looking to get his nationality switched - as of now he is not able to compete for the USA.

I am sure about it. He was born in New York and is an American citizen but ran for Antigua as a youth. The IAAF current ban on nation switching does not allow him to run for the USA. He has no intent of running for Antigua and wants to compete as an American.

Try Google sometime, it's quite useful.

vivalarepublica wrote:

jenapharm wrote:

Not sure about that - he did run for one of the island nations at some meet a few years ago and now is looking to get his nationality switched - as of now he is not able to compete for the USA.

I am sure about it. He was born in New York and is an American citizen but ran for Antigua as a youth. The IAAF current ban on nation switching does not allow him to run for the USA. He has no intent of running for Antigua and wants to compete as an American.

Try Google sometime, it's quite useful.

He was born in the Bronx. He has lived in the US and attend US schools his entire life.

The IAAF is a bunch of wet butt-wipes. The morans prevented every athlete from "switching" countries, and are now forced them all to remain as competitors for whoever they are where listed competing for. In Benjamin's case he didn't actually compete for his parent's home country; unlike David Torrence and Alexi Pappas who have competed at a high level for other countries.

The IAAF morans epically failed to allow native born citizens to run for their home countries in cases like Benjamin's. He filed the IAAF paperwork long ago. It has been about a year since this ignorant, poorly thought out, ban by the IAAF. Are they ever going to fix their mess?

vivalarepublica wrote:

jenapharm wrote:

Not sure about that - he did run for one of the island nations at some meet a few years ago and now is looking to get his nationality switched - as of now he is not able to compete for the USA.

I am sure about it. He was born in New York and is an American citizen but ran for Antigua as a youth. The IAAF current ban on nation switching does not allow him to run for the USA. He has no intent of running for Antigua and wants to compete as an American.

Try Google sometime, it's quite useful.

I know he wants to compete for the USA BUT at this time he is not eligible for a US team (hence USC did not set the 4 x 4 WR indoors.

Try Google sometime, it's quite useful.

I'm against people who spell "morons" as "morans".

jenapham wrote:

vivalarepublica wrote:

I am sure about it. He was born in New York and is an American citizen but ran for Antigua as a youth. The IAAF current ban on nation switching does not allow him to run for the USA. He has no intent of running for Antigua and wants to compete as an American.

Try Google sometime, it's quite useful.

I know he wants to compete for the USA BUT at this time he is not eligible for a US team (hence USC did not set the 4 x 4 WR indoors.

Try Google sometime, it's quite useful.

Citizenship/nationality is one thing and allegiance, for IAAF purposes, is another.

There is no question that RB has US citizenship/nationality and you are rightly being corrected on your misuse of those terms.

Announcers/commentators often get confused on this. Dwight Stones did during the NCAA broadcast.

RB declined to compete for Antigua for the Rio Olympics but he did compete for Antigua in the 2013 World Youth Games.

I'm sure he was assured at the time that he would have no problem changing back, given his US citizenship, and hopefully it will be straightened out by next year.

jenapham wrote:

I know he wants to compete for the USA BUT at this time he is not eligible for a US team (hence USC did not set the 4 x 4 WR indoors.

Try Google sometime, it's quite useful.

You have no clue how to use Google. And you have ZERO knowledge of the case with Rai.

Moran. Based on LONG ago he filed the proper paperwork to revert back to the USA--he never competed for any other country--his case would have been fixed by the IAAF long ago. But the IAAF created a problem--preventing all country switched--and did not have any kind of plan to resolve easy cases like Rai's. And the IAAF still has no solution--rather they are bickering amongst themselves. The result is the a total mess. The entire fault is with the clueless people running the IAAF.

wejo wrote:

Thoughts? I figure he has to go to Lausanne but this article as no mention of him running:

https://www.iaaf.org/news/news/diamond-league-lausanne-norman-coleman-thomps

Did you consider checking his social media?

Rai Benjamin will be running the 200 m again Thursday in Lausanne.

vivalarepublica wrote:

These guys against each other in peak shape would make a run at the world record. It's only 1/4 second away. I think they are being unwise not going for it this season, as you never know when your window closes as a track and field athlete.

One of life's terrible truths: Young people are not smart people.

Athletes are young people.

Podunk U. wrote:

[

One of life's terrible truths: Young people are not smart people.

Athletes are young people.

The vast majority of society's problems today are not the fault of young people.

Podunk U. wrote:

vivalarepublica wrote:

These guys against each other in peak shape would make a run at the world record. It's only 1/4 second away. I think they are being unwise not going for it this season, as you never know when your window closes as a track and field athlete.

One of life's terrible truths: Young people are not smart people.

Athletes are young people.

Young people can be smart, very smart. But they may not be wise and able to recognize a great opportunity. Rai Benjamin must thinking that there will be many more opportunities to compete against Samba and break the world record. Same with Michael Norman right now. But where is Trayvon Bromell? English Gardner? In track and field, you never know when the magic will disappear.

I can understand that he might be tired and not want to risk a long career with an injury. And next year could be the greatest year in 400mH hurdles history, between Benjamin, Samba, McMaster, and Warholm, and McLaughlin on the women's side. I sincerely hope that is the case, for the good of the athletes and the sport.

The IAAF is dragging their feet on resolving issues, they created, for athletes like Rai Benjamin. How long do they intend to keep athletes in limbo?

Google something wrote:

jenapham wrote:

I know he wants to compete for the USA BUT at this time he is not eligible for a US team (hence USC did not set the 4 x 4 WR indoors.

Try Google sometime, it's quite useful.

You have no clue how to use Google. And you have ZERO knowledge of the case with Rai.

Moran. Based on LONG ago he filed the proper paperwork to revert back to the USA--he never competed for any other country--his case would have been fixed by the IAAF long ago. But the IAAF created a problem--preventing all country switched--and did not have any kind of plan to resolve easy cases like Rai's. And the IAAF still has no solution--rather they are bickering amongst themselves. The result is the a total mess. The entire fault is with the clueless people running the IAAF.

Benjamin also repped Antigua on the 4x200 at the 2015 IAAF World Relays.

Google THIS, ace wrote:

Google something wrote:

You have no clue how to use Google. And you have ZERO knowledge of the case with Rai.

Moran. Based on LONG ago he filed the proper paperwork to revert back to the USA--he never competed for any other country--his case would have been fixed by the IAAF long ago. But the IAAF created a problem--preventing all country switched--and did not have any kind of plan to resolve easy cases like Rai's. And the IAAF still has no solution--rather they are bickering amongst themselves. The result is the a total mess. The entire fault is with the clueless people running the IAAF.

Benjamin also repped Antigua on the 4x200 at the 2015 IAAF World Relays.

DNF. BAN HIM FOR LIFE!

Benjamin says he's running but not in what event. Even a win in Lausanne doesn't get him a lane for the DL Final without someone choosing not to compete in the final.