"I am going to inspire a lot of people in America and Kenya."

I was just about to quote this in a thread as well. What a disappointing comment. I was happy but now its a bittersweet taste in my mouth.

Full Quote:

"It feels great to be a champion, representing the United States. I've waited since 2004 for this. I can never be happier than this right now. My coach James Li is a master of laying out strategy. He came out to my hotel room and said that you have the speed and the experience, and that's the most important thing. He said that you know what to do. I was thinking about relaxation the whole way through during the race. This race is for William Lagat, my brother-in-law and number one fan who passed away. (talking about positioning during the race) I wanted to be in the top three up until the last fifty meters. I was thinking to myself in the last fifty, 'I think I'm going to win this, but I didn't want to celebrate just yet'. I've never been like this–I've always been a silver medalist. (on the 5000 meters) Tonight, I am going to celebrate with my son, my wife, my coach, and my manager, but tomorrow it's back to business."

From USATF:

"It feels great to be a champion, representing the United States. I've waited since 2004 for this. I can never be happier than this right now. My coach James Li is a master of laying out strategy. He came out to my hotel room and said that you have the speed and the experience, and that's the most important thing. He said that you know what to do. I was thinking about relaxation the whole way through during the race. This race is for William Lagat, my brother-in-law and number one fan who passed away. (talking about positioning during the race) I wanted to be in the top three up until the last fifty meters. I was thinking to myself in the last fifty, 'I think I'm going to win this, but I didn't want to celebrate just yet'. I've never been like this–I've always been a silver medalist. (on the 5000 meters) Tonight, I am going to celebrate with my son, my wife, my coach, and my manager, but tomorrow it's back to business."

He's proud to run for his country and that's what matters. If he's proud of his heritage, as well, more power to him.

To the first two posters: Next time you go celebrate St. Patrick's Day or Bastille Day or whatever maybe you should think twice.

no matter what he says some people will choose to look at it with negativity.

I don't see why he can't still care about the country he was born in (especially given how much disparity there is in terms of quality of life between there and here). I do not believe that it detracts from his loyalty at all. So when you get married you have to "align" yourself only with your wife you can't care about your Mom?

What??? wrote:

So much for this guy's American pride; he shouldn't even be mentioning Kenya at this point.

How does he intend to inspire people in Kenya, by influencing other runners to become naturalized citizens and have less national competition standing in their way to the world stage?

Thanks for choking, Webb. Now this sets us up for a flood of pseudo-American success!

I read this as a much more positive comment. He's a Kenyan who worked hard his whole life, had his successes, lived the 'American Dream' and is now on the top of the world. That should be pretty inspiring for Kenyans who don't give themselves a chance.

I actually deeply pity anyone who is disappointed that he mentioned Kenya. I really do.

What is wrong with wanting to insoire people? If I could inspire any group of people I would be proud of that. This is part of the reason why we are in a war right now. America is one of the greatest countries but that does not mean that Americans are greater or more important than any other people.

My mother has been a citizen of the US since the 60's but she still has pride for the country of her birth and roots for Scotland. It's just a personal heritage thing, a nod to remembering where you came from. Lagat is now an American Treasure and if some little kid in Kenya can be inspired along with kids here, all the better.

runamook wrote:

My mother has been a citizen of the US since the 60's but she still has pride for the country of her birth and roots for Scotland. It's just a personal heritage thing, a nod to remembering where you came from.

hell, they dye the river green in chicago once a year for a bunch of midwesterners whose closest tie to ireland is that they got a shamrock tatoo and once tried a guiness.

and half of long island is puffed up in "italia" gear when they couldn't find "the boot" on a map.

people have ties to personal and family history - real (as in lagat) or imagined (as in the guidos at the jersey shore.)

let 'em be.

So he's not allowed to mention the place that he was born?

I think that Legat will inspire many Africans because he has shown that you don't have to be washed up by the time you are 23-25 like most Kenyans seem to be. I hope he will inspire Americans too.

Yeah I find it funny that anyone with a speck of Irish heritage refers to themselves as Irish (you can subsitute Italian here too). But when an educated black man refers to himself as African-American we get the anti-PC police harping about said person's lack of American patriotism.

Lagat is the best 1500 meter runner in the world who now happens to be an American. But, regardless of his current nationality he should always be able to refer to himself as a son of Kenya without censure from letsrun nitwits. Grow up.

Great job Lagat!

uhhhhhh...I've been reading stuff all morning on Lagat's win, and have yet to see him quoted as saying this. Can anyone provide a link with this statement from Lagat's mouth?

Tony wrote:

uhhhhhh...I've been reading stuff all morning on Lagat's win, and have yet to see him quoted as saying this. Can anyone provide a link with this statement from Lagat's mouth?

Exactly what I was about to say.

You white people keep dreaming. You aren\'t really \"american\" either.

usa jersey for sell wrote:

I was just about to quote this in a thread as well. What a disappointing comment. I was happy but now its a bittersweet taste in my mouth.

I've got something that will get the bittersweet taste out of your mouth asshole.

Great Job Bernard.

This man can't even be proud of his heritage anymore? When he was actually born there??! You guys are nuts! How many of you were born right here in the US and are screaming GO IRISH with a green t-shirt and beer in hand?

For now on, you are not allowed to go to any more of those parades where people celebrate their ANCESTOR'S country of origin. This is hypercriticism at it best. Nuts...totally nuts.

tigranya wrote:

This man can't even be proud of his heritage anymore?

If he's so damn proud of his heritage, why did he want to become an American? One answer: Because the competition in the U.S. isn't as stiff as it is in Kenya.

Here's your link. Seventh paragraph.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/SPORT/08/29/athletics.men.reut/

What??? wrote:

If he's so damn proud of his heritage, why did he want to become an American? One answer: Because the competition in the U.S. isn't as stiff as it is in Kenya.

That is correct. It was painful to watch all those Kenyans blow by Lagat in the homestretch during today's 1500 final. It reminded me of the 2004 Olympic Final, when Lagat finished 4th behind El Guerrouj and two other Keynans.