African-American Olympic marathon team

Ryan Hall much? KK is always getting hurt, I dont see how you can say he's a favorite even over someone like Sell or Culp.

You think Ryan Hall is from Africa? Or are you answering the "home-grown" question?

I'll give you Ryan Hall, but Abdi has already run 2:08, will probably set the 10k AR this year, and has got to be the favorite for the team, Meb already has a silver medal and the 10k AR and is showing great form, and KK holds the marathon AR and, if he ever gets it going again, will be hard to beat (2:05 is light years ahead of 2:08).

Someone very wise once said to me that in a truly equal society there would be no need to make such distinctions as an this.

Obviously in the spirit of this thread, this isn't overtly racist. But does that mean African Americans aren't

American enough for you? Fine line there.

Right up there with the commentator doing the NYC 1/2 referring to Adbi as "a Somalian who became an American citizen" rather than simply as an American, which he is (someone mentioned this on the NYC thread, for reference.)

What kind of insecurities lie beneath sentiments like this?

And the430miler needn't respond. His ignorance goes beyond racism. I'm sure if any of Team USA reads this board, they must be mortified at the thought of representing him and his type.

of course someone would have to play the race card. it's not race. I'm sure if there was a steve holman AA runner we'd all feel much better about his credentials as "american."

I don't think it's race (I don't think anyone had a problem with Steven Holman), is the fact that they were not born here or have american names. But just like the kenyans that run for qutar it just doesn't feel right.

Abdirahman and Keflezighi both grew up here. They had every bit the American upbringing that Hall had. If Hall is American-produced, so are Meb and Abdi. They have both done all their running in the United States.

If Meb and Abdi benefit from their East African genes, what the hell do you think allows Ryan Hall to run 2:08? His good old Protestant work ethic?

I think its great to make distinctions based on heritage, origin, American born or not, etc. It shows the diversity we have and should help people appreciate differences. People are so damn afraid to acknowledge differences when in fact its these differnces that create diversity. The problem starts when you start talking about Somolian, Ethiopian, Kenyan etc and many people only see this as black and white.

Why not say Somolian who became an American citizen. Sounds interseting to me, he certainly doesnt look like a typical distance runner from Indiana.

Your more insecure if you cant talk about the obvious.

Exclusive Imports wrote:

The top three contenders are....

1) Abdi

2) Meb

3) KK

Not only do we import fiat capital and hard goods from China, cars from Japan, and IT talent from India, but we import our running talent from Africa. What is it that we actually homegrow anymore, because it sure as hell ain't scientists, engineers, mathematicians, and intellgent, well-read, disciplined and healthy Americans?

This post might have made sense 7 or 8 years ago. Now it's just silly. You leave out Abdi, Meb, KK and replace them with Hall, Sell, and Culpepper, and you don't lose much at all. KK is done, Meb is still going to be strong but it's possible his best days are behind him. Meanwhile, Hall ran brilliantly in his half and full marathon debuts, and Sell has a top 10 WCs finish and sub 2:11 to his credit. Culpepper's best days are behind him, but still a solid "All-American" squad. Give Ritz and Cabada a couple more years, and I think the US born and raised guys will be just fine.

As it stands, the marathon will be the hardest US Olympic distance event to make. Should be a great race.

true dat wrote:

Someone very wise once said to me that in a truly equal society there would be no need to make such distinctions as an this.

Obviously in the spirit of this thread, this isn't overtly racist. But does that mean African Americans aren't

American enough for you? Fine line there.

Absolutely nothing wise about that statement. Equality of OPPORTUNITY is what is important, not equality of OUTCOME. And I have no problem with an African-American Olympic team. Note, I did say African-AMERICAN, not just African. But it should motivate native-born Americans all the more. Meb and Abdi are probably more legitimate contenders for the Olympic team than Hall, certainly more than Sell, and KK is an unknown. We thought he was done two years ago and he popped that 2:07 at London out of nowhere, but he didn't get noticed because he was 5th or 6th in the race.

it is as if people think that abdi, meb and kk have some unfair advantage bc they are african-born. if they make the team they deserve it. they became americans the hard way. they even had to take a test. more than any of us did. i would echo that ryan hall, sell, culp all benefit from genetics just as much, if not more, than any of these guys. and it is EXTREMELY different than the kenyans running for qatar on so many levels! if that is not obvious, you are blind.

Couldn't agree more with just about everything you said, except the genetics part. That's where you've got it wrong.

It IS great to celebrate diversity. Absolutely! I didn't mean to imply differently.

Hear me out. I'd be the first to celebrate diversity anywhere (being a Canadian, and a minority, who has lived in several countries) The sad part is that diversity doesn't always bring everyone together - people have a tendency to focus on those differences rather than appreciate them.

That's where comments like calling Abdi a Somalian first rather than American sublty reinforces these differences, rather than celebrates them. I'm glad that you, and a lot of others, feel that someone's background is interesting (I completely agree, and stories like Lomong's and Mo Farah's are all the more amazing).

But for some others, it does become an issue of "black" or "white", ie. "home-grown". At least, that's what I get. I wish it weren't a race issue, but I honestly feel that's what underlies it. This is the insecurity that I mean, seeing race in this way. I think this is a little different from what your point view, and like I said, I'm glad.

Exlcusive Imports, I wasn't trying to say you have a problem with a team of African Americans. I should have specified that I was referring specifically to these three marathoners when I said African-Americans, the "imports", because this is what some people make an issue of. My bad.

I do agree with you that equality of opportunity is the most important, in anything. So I was kind of surpised that you wouldn't agree that an equal society makes no distinctions on the basis of backgound when providing the opportunity. Just reading it a different way?

And I agree that seeing the success of those at the top should motivate people to work to the same goals even more. All people. It's just a little sensitive to hear some people talk about "home-grown". Having lived in Korea for the past few years, it gives a new meaning to that kind of thinking, far mor extreme than you meant, I'm sure.

Just philosophy. I'm done now. You Yanks got some good runners now. This is good.

Meb is still going to be strong but it's possible his best days are behind him.

This maybe the 2nd or 3rd fastest road race american time in history. Correct me if I'm wrong

not a bad race wrote:

Meb is still going to be strong but it's possible his best days are behind him.

"The guy ran a 27-minute 10k on the road this weekend and has run a 43-minute 15k as well. I think he's going to be fine.

Yes, I'm sure he will be fine. Allow me to reiterate: "Meb is still going to be strong but it's possible his best days are behind him." Best days= 10k track AR, 15k AR, Olympic silver medal. He's still a stud.

not a bad race wrote:

Meb is still going to be strong but it's possible his best days are behind him.

The guy ran a 27-minute 10k on the road this weekend and has run a 43-minute 15k as well. I think he's going to be fine.

ps- My larger point being that, for about 6 years, Meb was pretty much untouchable by the other US guys from 10k and up. That is no longer the case these days, and certainly not in the marathon. Abdi and Hall should be right there with him. Make no mistake about it, though- Meb knows how to be ready when it counts.