You seem unaware of how people become naturalized citizens. He had to get a green card which takes 6-33 months. Then he had to reside in the US continuously for least 5 more years before he qualified. Based on his racing history on World Athletics, he hasn't raced in Ethiopia since 2015, and has raced mainly in the US since 2015. Maybe he got a green card as an asylum seeker? He's lived the last quarter of his life in the US.
Well said. Would really like to know more about this guy's story. A quick google search only turned up his world athletics profile. Seems to be a half marathon specialist, with 5 or 6 performances in the 1:00-1:01 range.
Most interesting thing to me is Teshome Mekonen is now a US citizen. He ran 60:02 back in 2018. He was 3rd at NYC half this year and has only run 2:13 in the marathon but would seem to a guy automatically on paper has a change to make an Olympic team or even challenge Ryan Hall's half marathon record.
On one hand, I really like the idea that anyone from anywhere can come to the US and integrate into our culture. No one thinks you're not American because of your skin color or your accent. On the other hand, it kinda feels like cheating when we take the best runners in the world and let them compete for us. Like, it's not that impressive that Lagat set national records when he already ran 3:26 before coming to the US. Still, I feel bad saying it shouldn't count because if I didn't know who he was and I had a conversation with him, I'd never consider him not American.
Lagat has lived in the US since 1996, when he came here to run for Washington State.
Don't get too excited the guys only impressive performance is his mediocre at best Half Marathon of 1:00:02. All of his other performances are not that great.
So Teshome trained out of nyc in Central Park for Years , he is married to an Ethiopian American. With a child in New York. He’s incredibly friendly and a great guy. It is no different than any other immigrant who applies for citizenship. He’s been married 5 years and just received citizenship, living in New York.
he hasn’t had great success in marathon. Yet, but he is about 30 at this point and his best is yet to come. He holds so many nyrr course and event records. Including the Ted Corbett 15k, he’s been a 2 time podium finisher nyc half
Chez was probably on student visas the whole time he was in school and college. None of those years count. He needs to be on green card status for five years before he can apply for citizenship. Then wait for application to be processed. Takes a while.
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