Disturbing - USA national uniforms @ NYC Marathon

Remember when a lot of Kenyans would where the national colors during marathons? It looked cool as hell. Now if we could get a bunch of 'mercans in the lead pack sporting the colors, that'd be awesome too.

To the guy who said it was inspirational watching Meb in the USA top last year, right on!

Mr. Obvious wrote:

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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.

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They do sell them. They had a display at the Chicago Marathon with some very cool stuff available.

Wanted to buy one so bad, but I'm with SOF on this one. I have no business wearing it unless I earned it.

Some things need to remain special.

This thread will devolve to something similar to the threads where 6 or 7 hour marathoners get defended with the "why are you so insecure" examples flying.

They earned the uniform ...they can wear it to the local IHOP if they want. I don't remember too many kiwis pissed about Johnny Walker, Dick Quax,and Rod dixon wearing the silver fern for all those years.

HSN I'm with you on the American Flag bullshit. Classless at best and a USATF total f...up. I complained when they first did it, including notes from apalled vets, copies of flag protocol, etc., but it went ignored. It ends up being just another excuse for some wannabe to get their picture taken draping a flag over a medal winner.

Silly Old Fossil wrote:

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.

Dude, you have a view about the sport that is far-removed from mine.

Since you are bringing up past history, as far as I can remember, athletes have been wearing their national uniforms to races ... even all-comers races. I don't get what your problem is.

"In the day" you could order singlets with "USA" on them and wear them proudly to your local all-comers events or Turkey Trots. I don't see anything wrong with that.

If the Chelean miner ran with a USA top on I'd probably cheer louder for him.

If Meb wants to wear his USA jersey to a Lady GaGa concert, I'd be fine with that as well.

I don't get why this upsets you so much, in fact I don't even get why this thought even came into your head?

I think its great. I love it when a Mexican runs by wearing his Mexican jersey, I love it when an American runs by wearing a USA jersey, and I love it when a Kenyan or Ethiopian runs by wearing one of their jerseys. A bunch of Spanish runners wear their National jersey as well and I think that is sweet.

Having national pride and wanting your nationality to stand out is nothing to be ashamed of. If you're an elite and want to be offended, that is your choice. But the way I see it from my 2:40:44 perch, its awesome that people have such respect for the nation they are from to want to broadcast to several million viewers that they come from there. And when the elites like Nelson, Meb, Ritz, etc do it... all the better. Too few people (including those on this board) fail to recognize how good America is at running. Promoting our talent is great. At the end of the day, people remember that an American won, or there were about 5 American's in the top 10 or whatever it was last year. No-one cares about the guy's names. They cheer for the jersey. The spectators want to cheer for USA... not OTC. People relate to locations, not teams or clubs.

My dream is to wear red, white, and blue with the three letters "U S A" on some sort of uniform, regardless of sport. I'm in my 20's, and it will never happen, but to be able to represent a country I love so much in some type of athletic competition would be a dream come true. (And hell, it would most definitely inspire me to run/fight/compete harder/longer so that I wouldn't let down what those colors...)

And I'm not republican or democrat!!! Screw political parties...

I'm just American.

Having the USA guys wear the uni is good for the sport.

Fans will really get into cheering for americans when they are racing the africans/

I have no problem with wearing a national uniform in a race - Love to see it. Gives gravity and color to the event.

Does it cheapen wc or olympic events? Not at all - those events are self-evidently more important.

And especially seeing Meb with the USA singlet - two levels - olympic silver medalist and immigrant success story - very touching.

I'm not for or against this practice of wearing the national jersey, mostly because I haven't thought about it, but I do have an issue of identifying people by their citizenship.

The NBA doesn't say "Steve Nash - CAN"

Races, unless it's an event like the Olympics, should identify the athletes either by their team/club or sponsor.

IE: Dathan Ritzenhein - Nike

Malmo, forgive this old-school purist.

Obviously to you the national uniform is just another piece of fabric, akin to a Hanes undershirt....nothing more/nothing less.

Everytime I see the USA vest worn in a non-international championship (and mark my words - NYC is not any kind of championship) that DILUTES the "uniqueness" of said national uniform.

Malmo, I thought the earning and wearing of a national uniform was supposed to be SPECIAL, and reserved for wearing on special occasions....and NYC marathon is not THAT special IMHO.

I thought you of all people would have a less cavalier attitude about the USA national uniform. Perhaps you have bitter feelings toward the old AAU....yes????

hmmmmmm wrote:

I'm not for or against this practice of wearing the national jersey, mostly because I haven't thought about it, but I do have an issue of identifying people by their citizenship.

The NBA doesn't say "Steve Nash - CAN"

Races, unless it's an event like the Olympics, should identify the athletes either by their team/club or sponsor.

IE: Dathan Ritzenhein - Nike

But all the gear the USA athletes had on was made by Nike. How much more obvious do the sponsors need to be?

Agree, but Steve Nash plays for a team! Shalene was not representing a team. It was a national champ so if she is rep. a team she should have been discounted from the team scoring, but other than that no problem with the USA

It didn't seem to be much of an issue in this instance. Thoughts?

I would rather see someone in their national garb than see a bunch of people festooned with corporate logos.

"forgive this old-school purist"

You're not being old-school purist, homey, you're being anal.

Yeah USA jerseys, boo over-use of National flags.

I'm wearing a USA national uniform as I post this message. I don't even care!!! I'm not even that good at posting!!!

You were honestly 'distubed' by this?

Bit melodramatic maybe?

I'm pretty sure I can go to the USATF site right now and buy several pieces of Olympic gear. I don't think USATF will be angry if I give them business. Likewise, I don't think any level-headed American would be uspet if somebody wanted to show USA pride.

Again, to beat a dead horse, the athletes that had USA singlets ALL EARNED THEM by making a USA WORLDS TEAM.

Deserving athletes wearing the USA singlets is nothing new, and I think its great that they have national pride.

It annoys me to no end to watch a European track meet and see every single athlete wearing the same kit. Makes everyone look just uniform and boring.

Spice it up. You see kenyans wear the kenyan kit sometimes, same with ethiopians. Nothing wrong with US runners doing the same.

And I don't think most hobby joggers would actually take the time/effort to order a USA jersey just for their local turkey trot.