Looks like he was DISPLAYING the flag, that alone is a nice change of pace. It really annoys me when you see an athlete draping the flag over them as if it was some sort of towel or warm-up jacket.
Looks like he was DISPLAYING the flag, that alone is a nice change of pace. It really annoys me when you see an athlete draping the flag over them as if it was some sort of towel or warm-up jacket.
I know. Talk about reading between the lines! He does what most other Gold Medalists do after winning and he must be hurt by comments?
check out the espn article linked on page 1 of the thread
not only does it state lagat ran 3:44 to win, it also claims kenyan-born runners swept the first three spots, because rashid ramzi is a native born kenyan running for brunei!
I think there is an unfair characterization of the debate that has been going on for some time. Very, very few people said anything to the effect of, "Lagat is not a real American." Rather, the argument was between those who feel that a victory by an African immigrant doesn't necessarily indicate much about the strength of American distance running and those who feel that any mention of that fact is racist.
the diceman wrote:
Serious? wrote:He is a better AMERICAN then many of the people that post hurtfull and racist comments on this forum.
Ain't that the truth. The guy actually had to pay his dues and EARN his citizenship. He did us proud.
1st. being hurtful and racist is as american as apple pie.
2nd.. we have membership dues?
what kind of spikes is he wearing in that pic?
Anyone who has ever spent time with Bernard knows that he would still be a world champion even if he never stepped on a track. He is a good man. A very good man.
Naturalized American=American
Dual Citizen=Treason
any questions?
"When you're carrying this flag, it means a lot. You're representing everybody, the victims of Katrina, everybody. Those who are serving in the war in Iraq. This is for everybody in the United States."
-Lagat
I love this guy, Lagat = classy...
The flag represents the United States. He (Bernard) is a full fledged American citizen. I believe elite running citizens are smart enough to wear the flag as a jacket or whichever way pleases them. Hey thats a good idea I'll bet American Flag jackets would sell like hotcakes. (American ingenuity plus free enterprise). I respect the flag, and wearing it respectfully should be allowed. The flag though is not a holy shroud or cloth of holiness. By all means it should be allowed to be displayed in various ways like other countries like dish towels etc.. This is my feeling and by God as an American citizen I can express my view without going to jail....Way to Go Bernard Legat a first class American citizen.
Whether or not Lagat is really American or not doesn't matter. What is really important is that from Abdi's performance in the 10k, and Lagat's gold in the 1500, and Meb's silver in the Olympic marathon, we all learned yet another chapter in a lesson that will never end- East Africans are the best runners ever, whether they run for east african countries, asian countries, european countries, or the United States. It doesn't matter who they represent, it matters where their true roots are from, and that will never change.
lagat looked fantastic in the semi and he looked like he could have gone earlier in the final. he had a lot left and with ramzi locked up on the inside, there was no credible challenge to lagat in the final 100m. a very deserving champion and tremendous for him to bring the usa a 1500m world championships gold for the first time, indeed, it's been since 1908(?) that the u.s. won gold in world (dating to 1983) or olympics at this distance.
I overheard several Team USA coaches in the stands yelling at those who received a flag to make sure that when you go on your lap of honor, make sure the stars are on your right hand!
Found this picture of Lagat here:
800 dude wrote:
I think there is an unfair characterization of the debate that has been going on for some time. Very, very few people said anything to the effect of, "Lagat is not a real American."
That is utter bullsh!t. I could link to easily a dozen threads saying specifically that, this year alone.
Another interesting point about Lagat putting up the USA on his shirt right there. I'm pretty sure that there was a large contingent of Kenyan athletes sitting in the section that he "displayed" his new colors to, for what it's worth
he is not american. he became an american 2 years ago. HE IS KENYAN!!! DON"T BE STUPID, PLZ!!
peter snell wrote:
he is not american. he became an american 2 years ago.
contradicting statements?
love the flag wrote:
I overheard several Team USA coaches in the stands yelling at those who received a flag to make sure that when you go on your lap of honor, make sure the stars are on your right hand!
Found this picture of Lagat here:
http://paulmerca.blogspot.com
Yeah, I hate it when the stupid sprinters can't get that right! Seriously, how hard can that be?
Northwest Run wrote:
Sadly, every runner, great, good, bad, or otherwise, is ripped to shreds on this message board. The ripping of Kara Goucher was uncalled for -- I am not sure why Wejo starts a message board and doesn't monitor it -- Webb has been brutalized here, as has Lagat, Pre, Ryan Hall, Gabe Jennings, Lindgren, Billy Mills, El G, Geb, Coe, Cram, Ovett, Rono, etc., no one is perfect for the so-called great message board posters.
You forgot the Easter Bunny. The EB wouldn't stand a chance on this board.