Another TALENTED foreigner seeking US citizenship

Actually, a lot of people moaned when Rusedski was granted British citizenship. That's why, whatever he achieves, he'll never be held in quite the same affection as Tim Henman. Perhaps that's wrong, but that's the way it is.

martin you are a joke. on the greg rusedski comment--i not follow tennis so i cudnt care less...

hargreaves has never played for anyother country and has an english mother so is perfectly elligable to compete for england.

however this is a discussion about athletics shall we keep it about athletics?

I do not agree with any changes of alliagence in athletics the fact that aldama is black is very irrelevant and the fact that you had to play the race card to try and win the argument undermines you futher.

Bazza

I would agree with most of that -- but if GR were to luck through and win the big one in SW19 (chance would be a fine thing, I know, but if he did), I think that attitude would change pretty quickly.

Martin

secret fox wrote:

martin you are a joke. on the greg rusedski comment--i not follow tennis so i cudnt care less...

hargreaves has never played for anyother country and has an english mother so is perfectly elligable to compete for england.

however this is a discussion about athletics shall we keep it about athletics?

I do not agree with any changes of alliagence in athletics the fact that aldama is black is very irrelevant and the fact that you had to play the race card to try and win the argument undermines you futher.

All you do is complain, but I get the idea you aren't even sure what specifically you're complaining about. Who are you upset with? The athlete? UK immigration? Who?

agreed - unless of course he was playing Henman, in which case IMHO, most people would consciously or sub-consciously be rooting for Henman.

On the original issue, I have no problem with individuals or sports organisations taking advantage of the rules regarding citizenship - as they stand. I feel however, that the rules could do with a little tightening up. I also don't think that sportsmen/women should get preferential treatment in terms of applying for citizenship. Going back almost years, the worst thing that ever happened to Zola Budd was the fact that her GB citizenship was rushed through to enable her to compete in LA.

im not upset with anyone---(apart from martin for calling me racist). I dont even understand the finer details of immigration policies etc etc (im only 18) i just cant understand why poeple are allowed to change their nationality just like that because they feel like it, or why other people think it is positive for the sport!

all i am saying is that personally i do not think that aldama should be allowed to compete for britain, or anyone else should be able to defect unless they are legitimate refugees! simple as that!

our 4-x sprinters are going to go to kenya and there 4-xx are going to come here and all the the sprinters will be american born and all of the distances will be kenyan. its going to happen at this rate

NEW THEOLOGY:

"if you arent good enough to make it in your country, dont work harder, just move to one where you will be the best!"

The fact that you can't accept your own failings undermines you, in my opinion.

Your original argument related to politics - not athletics -by asking whether it was just to change citizenship.

(A question, by the way, resolved in law about 500 years ago.) That's why I've answered you in political terms.

Having said that, how about this (athletic) card:

I very much doubt you had an opinion about James McIlroy representing the UK after wearing an Irish vest in 1998.

Now, why would that be?

You also said "I do not agree with any changes of alliagence in athletics"

Please explain that to Sydney Maree if you ever get the chance to meet him.

Martin

secret fox

I think it is great that top athletes from other countries are becoming U.S. citizens. The intergrating of those athletes into our system will force U.S. athletes to adapt

to the new talent in order to make our National teams (ex: Abdi and Meb in the 10000m, Colleen in X-Country). Our country is a country of freedom and choices which is what attracts numerous non-athletic individuals, so why should athletes be any different? I do however think the athletes or non-athletes should not be granted emergency citizenship

or special consideration. The process of gaining American citizenship is just as important as obtaining the citizenship. The list of other countries who welcome the top athletes are going yearly, so why should it be harmful to the U.S.

Vipam

off to work

then why can't there be a waiting period from getting citizenship bfore competing for your new country... like 2-5 years. then we could be pretty sure that people were not just changing for athletic reasons. they would have to sacrifice something (some of their career at international level) for some time. although they could always compete in golden league etc... just not in the big games.

would that work?? maybe need to work on the precise details a bit...

CarolinaRunner wrote:

The US has virtually an unlimited supply of money to fund atheltes...

what?

well as it happens i didnt support mcalroy and im delighted that istvan beat him at the aaas and has kept out of the world champs--more because i like ish than dislike james but still. Something i do very much disagree with is when commentators such as foster go on about how we should try to get craig mottram into a british vest!

ive never heard of sydney maree, and as i have already said im only 18 i am guessing that you have used him as an example to try and undermine me knowing that that would be the case!(if he is indeed before my time??)

You appear to have (most probably delibartely) missed out part of my quote, so i will reiterate my stance 'i disagree with all changes of allegiance in athletics unless they come about due to legitamite reasons--ie mohammed farah --refugee. and as far i have not been made aware of any ligitamte reasons for aldama to become british.

surely being the ex wife of a dangerous convict is not sufficient grounds for this??

gavin

This does nothing to develope US distance talent. It is another sell-out to appease America's obsession with a winner. We would rather buy success than earn it just like France and Belgium...importing Morrocan's who couldn't make the Team there. This is a dangerouse president because so the US will be full of all the B-grade African's who cant make their own countries teams...and they will exclude opportunities for our kids. We should support and develope US born talent.

Isn't it all about having the best team? People get so caught up in their anti-foreigner thoughts that they don't look at what this does good for the team. Did the people in Houston stop being Rocket fans when they got Yao Ming?

People get it wrong about Meb. He's lived in California since he was very young. It's not like he just became an American citizen to make it easier to make an Olympic team. People talk about him as if he isn't "really an American."

Miles and Miles wrote:

Did the people in Houston stop being Rocket fans when they got Yao Ming?

A little different situation. Ming isn't representing the United States - he is representing the Houston Rockets. When the Olympics roll around, Ming will play for China.

You said "as far i have not been made aware of any ligitamte reasons for aldama to become british. surely being the ex wife of a dangerous convict is not sufficient grounds for this??"

Surely it is! As is the chance to leave a dangerous covict of a dictator in the form of Fidel Castro.

Your case against Yumile would be a lot stronger if she came from Spain - or indeed from Kenya. She doesn't. She comes from Cuba, and that alone makes her request for British Citizenship legitimate.

Martin

Sell Out wrote:

We would rather buy success than earn

Huh? When have we ever PAID for talent??

So any cuban now has the right to become british??