David Torrence request to compete for Peru granted!

Torrance has gotten all of the benefits of growing up as an American and has spent his entire life in the USA, but now wants to represent another country because his desire to run in the Olympics is greater than his allegiance to the US. That is what bugs people about this. I have been a big fan of his and was hoping this was the year he would make a US team. Now I hope he gets eliminated in the first round at the Olympics. All of the nonsense about his being a potential role model for Peruvian youth is simply a way to try and justify his decision to himself and others. I hope he changes his mind and runs in the US trials.

When Torrence walks out into the Olympic Stadium sporting his Peruvian uniform and Pappas her Greek uniform, I don't think they will feel good about themselves.

Ato Bolden Trinidad and Tobago

Felix Sanchez Puerto Rico

Bolota Asmermom Eritrea

Hope in one hand and crap in the other - let us know which hand fills up first !

Opportunist wrote:

I hope he changes his mind and runs in the US trials.

Opportunists wrote:

When Torrence walks out into the Olympic Stadium sporting his Peruvian uniform and Pappas her Greek uniform, I don't think they will feel good about themselves.

I'll guarantee you they will feel 100% good about themselves, and feeling much better than watching it from home on their couch wearing a USA t-shirt.

These athletes who are taking the easy way to the Olympics should not be able to compete in the future for the U.S.A. . Something needs to be done. Absolutely disgraceful behaviour.

The stars and stripes wrote:

These athletes who are taking the easy way to the Olympics should not be able to compete in the future for the U.S.A. . Something needs to be done. Absolutely disgraceful behaviour.

Who says they are planning to ?

Imp wrote:

Not only that but what does some American born, American raised, schooled, prob govt aid his whole life person feel they can go sweep in and be a hero in Peru?

Well, that was racist.

Braskey, you said it well!

Go DT!

Deadman Running wrote:

Opportunists wrote:

When Torrence walks out into the Olympic Stadium sporting his Peruvian uniform and Pappas her Greek uniform, I don't think they will feel good about themselves.

I'll guarantee you they will feel 100% good about themselves, and feeling much better than watching it from home on their couch wearing a USA t-shirt.

+1

Lol at all the posters getting their panties in a wad. David Torrence was never going to make the US team. Period. The United States is not irreparably damaged, so tone down the false outrage.

I agree with the argument that David Torrence running for Peru sets a good example for kids and athletes there. This is the truth, regardless what you read into Torrence's motivations.

Getting other countries excited about our sport on the world level ultimately benefits United States T&F.

Deadman Running wrote:

Opportunists wrote:

When Torrence walks out into the Olympic Stadium sporting his Peruvian uniform and Pappas her Greek uniform, I don't think they will feel good about themselves.

I'll guarantee you they will feel 100% good about themselves, and feeling much better than watching it from home on their couch wearing a USA t-shirt.

This is all about David Torrence and Ms. Pappas feeling 100% good about themselves.

They can tell everyone for the rest of their lives "I was an Olympian. I went to the Olympics. I feel 100% good about myself." The countries do not matter. What matters is me. I am an Olympian.

Ms. Pappas has even more reason to feel even more that 100% good about herself since she also describes her films as "world class" in addition to her "world class" Olympic level running.

In fact, everything Ms. Pappas does is "world class".

All of you people who are so bitter about this genuinely puzzle me. The only explanation I can think of is that you all have been indoctrinated since birth in an extremely nationalistic and probably prejudiced worldview.

Yes, of course his main motivation is running at the Olympics and not "inspiring Peruvian kids" or whatever. Who cares? I guess that none of you have ever, say, switched jobs just so you could get a higher salary. Right?

I challenge anyone on here to name one single person who is legitimately worse off because of this decision. For the life of me, I can't think of one.

Have you ever been to Peru? How is this guy getting eliminated and not making the Olympic final going to inspire kids in a country he has never lived in. Give me a break! This is completely self service for Torrence

As a fan, this mercenary stuff sucks.

But if I were an athlete...I get it. You only have one chance at this thing. You want to maximize your opportunities while you can. It's a different mentality when this is your job. Would I change companies for a better job opportunity? Of course. This is kind of similar.

Two thoughts going through DT's head, I am a coward and where is Peru?

Chicken is what I see wrote:

Two thoughts going through DT's head, I am a coward and where is Peru?

If you had read the interview, you would know that he has been to Peru many times.

Also, again, I just don't understand the mindset of people like this poster. Yes, getting to the Olympics via Peru is the "easy" way. It's also completely within the rules and damages nobody, while greatly benefiting Torrence and the people associated with him. Why do you guys equate "harder and less likely to succeed" with "better"?

If doing things the hardest possible way is best, I guess we should stop using cars and walk everywhere. No more medicines, either-that's the cowardly, easy way to fight disease. And on and on. You get what I'm driving at.

agreed I am wrote:

Lol at all the posters getting their panties in a wad. David Torrence was never going to make the US team. Period. The United States is not irreparably damaged, so tone down the false outrage.

...

Who will be making the US team?

Right now, Torrence is ranked #1.

The trials are soon.

Happy for the guy, and happy he will be in the fianl (likely) in the 1500m....nationality is tough and it seems unfair, but when you are Olympic calibre, anyone would make the choice David did. I seriously hope he gets top 8.

After the Keflezghi not "home grown" boston win, I say if you're not nordic like Ryan Hall it would be silly not to take these opportunities.

OT Qualifier wrote:

That is not true. I have the Olympic standard in the marathon but will likely never be top 3 in US and get to go to an Olympics games. I would never considered taking an opportunity like this to run for another country when I have lived my whole life in the US even if I had parents who had lived there. I would consider it disrespectful to America as the country that has given me so much opportunity.

I doubt I would ever have run as fast as I have being born and raised in most countries in the world. There's something special about representing your country and going to the games in another countries singlet just wouldn't feel right.

You are skipping the big f** fest in the village for some pseudo-"pledge" bullshit ?

Just to put that "Olympic tourist" thing in perspective: They are for good resons supplied by the dozens.

OT Qualifier probably has a small package to not consider dual citizenship.