Is anyone else losing respect for Leo Manzano running around with the Mexican flag??

Post race pictures

http://weareaustin.com/news/top-stories/stories//images/Leo1_JMhxC.jpg

http://mediad.publicbroadcasting.net/p/shared/npr/201208/158388578.jpg

http://running.competitor.com/files/2012/08/Manzano_LionelFL1-OlyGame12.jpg

Looks like he was supporting America more than he was supporting Mexico, but the first image isn't much different from this picture of Meb-

http://chitoandkgo.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/meb-at-race-weight.jpg

Ultimately, I believe that Leo had pure intentions with carrying both flags and there's really no point in getting upset over it

Respect wrote:

...asking to prove citizenship is racist, right?

It's racist if you only ask dark skinned people, which is exactly what happens.

Manzano is a good man for carrying the Mexican flag. Viva la Raza.

It's very disrespectful.

_________

Why?

_________

Iwo Jima, Omaha Beach... You are basically saying f@ck you to the country that gave you the opportunity.

Getting Real wrote:

I think some Mexicano's want to have it both ways. They want to live in the USA and still have great pride for Mexico...

Which, quite frankly, for the average American seems weird...considering how crappy so much of that country is -- as their existence here speaks to.

Mexico is a complicated place. Much more so than the United States. They have about 300+ years more history behind them....with lots of upheavals and foreign intervention. A really different outlook on life.

It's not a crappy country, it's just different. There's plenty of fantastic places, and also a lot of poverty -- but then, we have that too (ever been to Appalachia?)

Anyone who's spent some time there would know this. You clearly haven't.

Somebody explain to me how this is being disrespectful to the United States, cuz I'm a Proud Amerikun, and I feel that an immigrant winning an Olympic Medal for the United States and then proudly waving the United States flag is hugely respectful to the United States, even if he is also holding the flag of the country of his birth (and in a much less prominent manner, at that. Click the link and look at the picture).

http://running.competitor.com/2012/08/news/leo-manzano-wins-silver-in-olympic-1500m_56605?utm_medium=whats-hot

Finally, realize this: the United States treats Mexico like sh!t. The fact that a person of Mexican ancestry would be willing to put on a United States uniform, compete in the Olympics for the United States, win a medal for the United States, and display the American flag is kind of amazing, really.

Asker of questions wrote:

Huge Leo fan and followed him since his days at Marble Falls HS but this is really making me lose respect for him. Yes, born in Mexico and came to THE country that gave him every opportunity now he brings the Mexican flag along with the US flag. Not cool, Leo.

If he like to be called a beanie, it is his own choice. Let him celebrate his Tijuanas roots. Let him be a good aboriginal and eat beans.

Asker of questions wrote:

Huge Leo fan and followed him since his days at Marble Falls HS but this is really making me lose respect for him. Yes, born in Mexico and came to THE country that gave him every opportunity now he brings the Mexican flag along with the US flag. Not cool, Leo.

Nope not a bit. Way to take away from Manzano's achievement by being a cheeky little bast ard who can't accept other people showing pride for their heritage

Good for leo for not forgetting his roots. He's a Mexican American. Mexicans in the U.S. especially brown ones are treated like 2nd class citizens. Carrying the mexican flag is just a remembrance of where he and his family were born. He could have represented his native country but no he ran for the good ole USA. First U.S. Medal in the 1500 since 1968. Thank You LEO.

Respect wrote:

Iwo Jima, Omaha Beach... You are basically saying f@ck you to the country that gave you the opportunity.

This reminds me of the Family Guy episode where Lois runs for mayor and during the debates, she just answers every question with "nine eleven" and the whole crowd gets behind her. Just talk about some events where Americans died and then claim that we are under attack and expect people to take up your cause.

Explain how he is saying "fuck you to the country.

Getting

I think some Mexicano's want to have it both ways. They want to live in the USA and still have great pride for Mexico...

Which, quite frankly, for the average American seems weird...considering how crappy so much of that country is -- as their existence here speaks to.

People do weird stuff in the name of their heritage.

+1

It isn't exclusive to Mexicans though. In Chicago the Polacks are worse.

This thread is pathetic. There appears to be an extremely fine line between patriotism and insecurity. What the hell difference does it make if Manzano is proud of his native country and carried the Mexican flag that someone handed him? Anyone who feels hurt by that is an extremely weak, frightened person. (And as I write this I'm thinking of the nut case who murdered six innocent people in Wisconsin a few days ago -- he is/was the ultimate example of a weak, frightened and of course sick human being.)

Iwo Jima, Omaha Beach... You are basically saying f@ck you to the country that gave you the opportunity.

ever serve in the U.S. infantry ??? where ??? when ??? unit ???

Proud Amerikun wrote:

Somebody explain to me how this is being disrespectful to the United States, cuz I'm a Proud Amerikun, and I feel that an immigrant winning an Olympic Medal for the United States and then proudly waving the United States flag is hugely respectful to the United States, even if he is also holding the flag of the country of his birth (and in a much less prominent manner, at that. Click the link and look at the picture).

http://running.competitor.com/2012/08/news/leo-manzano-wins-silver-in-olympic-1500m_56605?utm_medium=whats-hot

Finally, realize this: the United States treats Mexico like sh!t. The fact that a person of Mexican ancestry would be willing to put on a United States uniform, compete in the Olympics for the United States, win a medal for the United States, and display the American flag is kind of amazing, really.

How do we treat Mexico like sh!t in this day and age? We trade a ton with Mexico and we basically let thousands of their citizens into our country every day with little threat of punishment.

Finally, realize this: the United States treats Mexico like sh!t. The fact that a person of Mexican ancestry would be willing to put on a United States uniform, compete in the Olympics for the United States, win a medal for the United States, and display the American flag is kind of amazing, really.

What the fock are you talking about????????

We go there illegally, soak up resources, kill over drugs etc etc???

We can't even visit what is a beautiful country without fear of being killed!!!

FU!!!!

Dick!!!

GoLeoGo wrote:

Good for leo for not forgetting his roots. He's a Mexican American. Mexicans in the U.S. especially brown ones are treated like 2nd class citizens. Carrying the mexican flag is just a remembrance of where he and his family were born. He could have represented his native country but no he ran for the good ole USA. First U.S. Medal in the 1500 since 1968. Thank You LEO.

They are treated like second class citizens because they act like second class citizens.

According to him, he WAS representing Mexico as well as the US. Someone should point out to him that Mexico has a team and he can represent them, solely, in 2016. I don't think that IOC allows athletes to represent multiple countries.

This forum has reached a sad state of affairs. I use to read it because of the quality blogs. Now I see political blogs and people dumping on other runner’s accomplishments.

How many of the posters have actually met Leo Manzano? If you haven’t met the man, you really need to tone down the comments. I can’t believe the comments about questioning Leo’s decision to celebrate.

Leo is one of the nicest guys you will ever meet. He’s humble, hard working and most importantly treats EVERYONE with respect. I am neither Hispanic nor Caucasian and Leo has always treated me with the utmost respect when seeing me on the town lake running trail. Occasionally on an off day, Leo will even run with the local training groups to see how everyone’s doing. Leo's a class act and winning the silver medal just solidify what all of us in Texas already knew.

I am in disbelief that on this day of winning the silver medal, another let's run poster would actually question why Leo wrapped himself with the US and Mexican flags. These posters must not live in boarder states (Texas, New Mexico, Az) and understand the daily cultural struggles that everyone deals with. Swallow the prejudice and accept the accomplishment on its own merit. I seriously doubt that Leo knew to grab a specific flag after finishing the 1500m race. It was a reaction after just running the race of his life.

Leo can do whatever he wants. He spent a life time to reach this moment. The rest of us should start working harder on our running and quit dumping on these guys / gals who worked so hard to reach this point….

Reg wrote:

This thread is pathetic. There appears to be an extremely fine line between patriotism and insecurity. What the hell difference does it make if Manzano is proud of his native country and carried the Mexican flag that someone handed him? Anyone who feels hurt by that is an extremely weak, frightened person. (And as I write this I'm thinking of the nut case who murdered six innocent people in Wisconsin a few days ago -- he is/was the ultimate example of a weak, frightened and of course sick human being.)

This. This message board seems to attract quite a few thin-skinned drama queens. Get a grip people. It wasn't an insult and it really wasn't a big deal at all.

Respect wrote:

It's very disrespectful.

_________

Why?

_________

Iwo Jima, Omaha Beach... You are basically saying f@ck you to the country that gave you the opportunity.

People like you, sir, are dragging our country down. With an idiotic statement like that you bring shame to America (assuming you are American). Such idiocy leaves me speechless. Your ignorance and Fox News logic represents the greatest challenge we have in our country.