Fair or Foul? Sonia O'Sullivan slams the fact that two Kenyan born Turks go 1-2 at 2016 Euro Cross

Good point, from a banking perspective, the Credit Card companies also consider Israel as part of Europe, which is ridiculous.

These Kenyans are Kenyans, pure and simple, they have never been to Turkey and they do not speak the language.

This stuff is getting out of hand. Pretty soon the Kenyans and Epo-ians will be just competing against each other with various different country uniforms on.

The former Kenyan Runners have EVERY right to run for Turkey.

1. They were looking for a better life in Turkey (and more opportunities in their Profession which is running and Turkey provided that).

2. Turkey like most European Countries wants more diversity and the runners being from Kenya meet what Turkey wants.

So it works out for everyone, don't know why anyone has a problem with it.

The USA does the same thing, we get immigrants who fulfill needs, example when the USA needed more Rocket Scientist's we got them from Europe and they settled mostly in Huntsville, Alabama, hence the nickname Rocket City.

Sonia never competed for Australia. You need to correct your statement.

The Europeans have become a joke with turks etc taking advantage of the transfer of allegiance.

Having said that, it is hypocritical of the Irish to complain. I don't remember too many complaints when Alistair Cragg won a European indoors for Ireland. He also raced a European cross when he had never even set foot on Irish soil.

I would like to hear Mark carroll opinion on this?

thepaddy wrote:

Sonia never competed for Australia. You need to correct your statement.

Agree.

"In January 2006, O'Sullivan applied for dual citizenship, which would allow her to compete for both Ireland and Australia. This request was granted and she intended to represent Australia at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, but to represent Ireland in all other competitions. She was chosen for the Australian Commonwealth team for the 5000 m. However she wasn't able to compete due to a hamstring injury"

The first three Spanish runners home are all North African born! Nothing about that? Just pale enough???

Why would the results for Turkey different?

What is the familial connection of the Cuban triple jumper to Britain. Parent, Grandparent??

Ilias Fifa- Morrocan born and entered Spain at 18

Ayad Lambdassem- Moroccan born and entered Spain as part of Morrocan University team

Adel Mechaal- Moroccan born and supposed to be suspended/banned for three missed drugs tests

Antonia Abadia- born in Spain

Jose Espana- born in Spain

Javier Garcia- born in Spain

The top three finished 6, 7, 8 respectively while the bottom three finished 11, 26, 33

douglas burke wrote:

The former Kenyan Runners have EVERY right to run for Turkey.

1. They were looking for a better life in Turkey (and more opportunities in their Profession which is running and Turkey provided that).

2. Turkey like most European Countries wants more diversity and the runners being from Kenya meet what Turkey wants.

So it works out for everyone, don't know why anyone has a problem with it.

The USA does the same thing, we get immigrants who fulfill needs, example when the USA needed more Rocket Scientist's we got them from Europe and they settled mostly in Huntsville, Alabama, hence the nickname Rocket City.

You are the dimmest poster on here.

As it has been pointed out, these Kenyans never left Kenya. They just wear Turkish vests, they don't live there.

What is more, have you watched the news lately (ever). Better life in Turkey? An ongoing coup and frequent bombings of civilians and police? They have the double whammy of ISIS plus internal political unrest. Better life in Turkey my arse.

BullSlacker wrote:

As it has been pointed out, these Kenyans never left Kenya. They just wear Turkish vests, they don't live there.

Authoritative link?

Renato Canova wrote:

under the kingdom of Lamine Diack was frequently buypassed in change of bribes (example : in Turkey, William Tanui Biwott was allowed to run for the new Country in World Indoor Championships in Istanbul starting on 9th March 2012, when his official change of citizenship was on 8th June 2011, only 10 months before, while the rule ask for one year in case of agreement with the previous Country).

Hmmm. It sounds like EVERYONE knew the IAAF was for sale if you were high enough up the organization.

Coach, I frequently criticize your posts, but that one was very sensible.

Sonia had lived in OZ for more than 5 years with her partner/coach Nic Bedeau at that point and continues to reside full time there now 17 years on. She returns to Ireland several times a year but Australia is home for her. The Turks (ie the Kenyans) do not reside in Turkey- they live in Iten and train in Lorna Kiplagat's setup. They have a non Turkish coach, don't even visit Turkey and have no marriage/family/blood or work connection to Turkey. A flag of convenience.

douglas burke wrote:

The former Kenyan Runners have EVERY right to run for Turkey.

1. They were looking for a better life in Turkey (and more opportunities in their Profession which is running and Turkey provided that).

2. Turkey like most European Countries wants more diversity and the runners being from Kenya meet what Turkey wants.

So it works out for everyone, don't know why anyone has a problem with it.

The USA does the same thing, we get immigrants who fulfill needs, example when the USA needed more Rocket Scientist's we got them from Europe and they settled mostly in Huntsville, Alabama, hence the nickname Rocket City.

They have a right to run for Turkey but athletes representing Turkey or Kenya should have no business competing in any championship race simply because of the strong doping histories from both nations. So no, those athletes should not have any right to compete in the Euro XC champs.

Imperial Jingoism wrote:

Ilias Fifa- Morrocan born and entered Spain at 18

Ayad Lambdassem- Moroccan born and entered Spain as part of Morrocan University team

Adel Mechaal- Moroccan born and supposed to be suspended/banned for three missed drugs tests

Antonia Abadia- born in Spain

Jose Espana- born in Spain

Javier Garcia- born in Spain

The top three finished 6, 7, 8 respectively while the bottom three finished 11, 26, 33

Spain should also not be competing in the Euro XC champs because of their appalling doping history. The same applies to runners from North Africa.

I watched the highlights yesterday on BBC2. Similar to O'Sullivan the male commentator spent the entire race moaning about the Kenyan/turks and the change of allegiance laws. I found it hard to hear/watch - it's certainly been to our advantage in the past.

Paula Radcliffe, the other commentator, was incredibly quiet and diplomatic not sure if was a good cop bad cop routine but it just made the other guys bleating on even worse....

The courses itself bone dry, no leaves or debris, crappy man made hills and reed things...the footlocker course was far better. I think the course played to the Kenyans strengths.

It's not just athletics. Here in the UK there are current issues with a south African who represented his country at under 19 level making his debut for the England cricket team. Rugby Union also has problems with this issue.

But we Brits can hardly criticise Turkey after all the "plastic Brit" controversy over the last couple of years. It's wrong when other countries do it but when it works to our advantage we can always find some way of justifying it?

Imperial Jingoism wrote:

Ilias Fifa- Morrocan born and entered Spain at 18

Ayad Lambdassem- Moroccan born and entered Spain as part of Morrocan University team

Adel Mechaal- Moroccan born and supposed to be suspended/banned for three missed drugs tests

Antonia Abadia- born in Spain

Jose Espana- born in Spain

Javier Garcia- born in Spain

The top three finished 6, 7, 8 respectively while the bottom three finished 11, 26, 33

You can't compare the Spanish Morrocoans, with the Kenyans Kenyans Turkey has.

Those morrocans, were Inmmigrants...not transfers.

Imperial Jingoism wrote:

Some Brit XC teams sound like a USA college team when interviewed.

Name one.

mark b wrote:

It's not just athletics. Here in the UK there are current issues with a south African who represented his country at under 19 level making his debut for the England cricket team. Rugby Union also has problems with this issue.

But we Brits can hardly criticise Turkey after all the "plastic Brit" controversy over the last couple of years. It's wrong when other countries do it but when it works to our advantage we can always find some way of justifying it?

It would only be comparible if these Kenyan Turks had been Turkish citizens since birth.

pop_pop!_v2.2.1 wrote:

Renato Canova wrote:

under the kingdom of Lamine Diack was frequently buypassed in change of bribes (example : in Turkey, William Tanui Biwott was allowed to run for the new Country in World Indoor Championships in Istanbul starting on 9th March 2012, when his official change of citizenship was on 8th June 2011, only 10 months before, while the rule ask for one year in case of agreement with the previous Country).

Hmmm. It sounds like EVERYONE knew the IAAF was for sale if you were high enough up the organization.

Coach, I frequently criticize your posts, but that one was very sensible.

Yes. Renato also knows what happens to the Hb concentration of elite runners at altitude who are used to altitude: next to nothing.

So very true.

And... Have y'all looked at rosters on NCAA track/cross country teams?

Yes limits need to be put in place.