If Webb went to college in Kenya and attained Kenyan citizenship, would he be "just as Kenyan" as Kiprop?

the little kenyan that couldnt wrote:

i see it differently because America is a country of immigrants while Kenya, i believe, is not.

Very well said....thread should stop here!

You guys are all sitting here talking about Webb and Lagat with the distance bias that always exist on this board. I don't know what you guys have against Lagat or against Kenyans in general. We say nothing when Kerron Clement born in Trinidad wins gold in the 400 hurdles or when he broke the indoor world record in the 400. We say nothing when Sanya Richards born in Jamaica gets the American record in the 400, both of which took victory laps with the American flag just like Lagat. Yet when Lagat does the exact same thing it becomes an ordeal. You cant have it both ways and accept some while rejecting others.

soho wrote:

the little kenyan that couldnt wrote:

i see it differently because America is a country of immigrants while Kenya, i believe, is not.

Very well said....thread should stop here!

Actually, every country is a nation of immigrants except for possibly a few in the Middle East.

Very very good point. Everyone was happy as hell when Meb won his Silver in the marathon, too. This whole thing is ridiculous.

madarin wrote:

Actually, every country is a nation of immigrants except for possibly a few in the Middle East.

Very well put! Why can't people just answer the question? They can't, because they don't like what they think the answer will be. What does that say about them?

If you've spent any time in that part of the world youd know where he'd fit in.

Interestingly enough sports in Africa (mostly eastern and southern anyway) are roughly divided by race, not intentionally, but I think by wealth and interest.

for example, you will find that most swimmers and those in equestrian events are done by "white Africans", ie immigrants from UK or Europe who are long time Africans.

Sports like cricket and field hockey are dominated by Indians.

there are a few cross over sports like squash and tennis where you see a mix of races.

Running, soccer and boxing however is predominantly black, except possibly in S Africa ( running).

So Webb may be a bit of an oddity, but besides that he would be far more accepted there than Lagat is over here.

shutup wrote:

you want to see someone with roots in your country succeed, someone of your own "blood" to succeed. I'd rather root for someone like that than a "transplant".

Exhibit 1:

You can have citizenship to another country, but your ^routes^ are where you were born.

Conclusion:

You share too much of this "blood" with your wife which you also, coincidentally, share too much of with your sister. . .

Exhibit 2:

just beacuse someone has citizenship does not mean they will be considered "american" by anyone or everyone.

I was born in America so according to your categories I am an American, but I can tell you this: I share no "blood" with you and when I succeed it will not be someone of your "blood". I'm sorry but you are holding onto a misguided desire to see an "American" succeed, which is based on your fabricated definition of "American" and "Blood". Give up because no one with your blood is going anywhere.

This thread is like a car accident. .

WOW IhateLagatasarunner,

How embarassing for America that you have to write this on a public forum.

Please tell me you failed HS, at least then its excusable.

Please also tell me you've never really travelled far from home.

As an American, Im "so embarass".

Hypothetical Hal wrote:

Thank you, Mr. Mzungu, for actually responding to the topic, unlike most everyone else who somehow brought Lagat into it.

Don't be naive, Skuj. You knew exactly what you were doing when you created this topic. There is no need to partonize us by pretending to be ignorant.

Let me guess...for your next trick, you are going to create a hypothetical scenario about a famous football player who is a accused of murdering his ex-wife and boyfriend, right? But then, you will act offended if anybody dares to mention O.J. Simpson! LoL!!!

The guy lives in the US, has a family here, and became a citizen. He's an American, end of conversation.

Now Alistair Cragg, thats some BS.

who gives a rat's ass? you don't have better things to worry about?

when my child was hurling her little guts out today in the ER i couldn't think of anything besides that damn carpetbagging lagat...

give me a f***ing break.

mzungu wrote:

Yes, I think he would. There is a white Kenyan swimmer, Jason Dunford, who got a couple of golds at the All-Africa games - the media here hyped that guy to no end.

Same to the white & Asian Kenyan tennis players & golfers. Heck, the average Kenyan still cheers enthusiastically for Lagat, Shahee, et al. The general attitude here is a bit more open and welcoming - as soon as most folks here find out that I married a Kenyan they usually give me the "well, then you're one of us." response.

Thats not a direct comparison. Was Jason born in kenya? Did he start swiming in Kenya? Has he competed for another nation besides Kenya? Even if he's white and going to college in the US, he's always been a Kenyan.

Tony wrote:

Very very good point. Everyone was happy as hell when Meb won his Silver in the marathon, too. This whole thing is ridiculous.

Cuz Meb developed as a runner in the US. He has always ran for the US.

Lagat is Kenyan. He ran in the Olympics twice for them! He ran at multi WC for Kenyan.

Also ran around the track a few WC ago holding a Kenyan Flag with his finger in the air.

Lagat an American? I say BS (only on paper). Yes he is a great runner, but far from a true American.

American kids can look up to Webb because they can relate to him. He grew up here and is a product of the USA.

NOPE NOPE NOPE wrote:

Lagat is Kenyan. He ran in the Olympics twice for them! He ran at multi WC for Kenyan.

Also ran around the track a few WC ago holding a Kenyan Flag with his finger in the air.

Lagat an American? I say BS (only on paper). Yes he is a great runner, but far from a true American.

American kids can look up to Webb because they can relate to him. He grew up here and is a product of the USA.

You still don't get it. Do you scoff at your neighbor who comes back from taking his oath of citizenship that he's "not a real American"? In this country, MORE THAN ANY OTHER, immigrants define America.

Lagat is someone who came to the US to study and to better himself and did just that. He's settled down here and has made the US is home. The fact that his job is as a professional athlete is inconsequential.

This is retarded! America is a melting pot -- Kenya is not!!

See you don't get it!!!! I and many others don't have a problem with Lagat being American. The thing that sucks is him running for Kenya for the last 10 years. Maybe if he would have tried to run with the USA colors back 10 years ago, then he would get mine and others support!!!!!!!!!

Hypothetical Hal wrote:

So let's say Webb went to Kenya for schooling, takes in some altitude, what have you. You know, basically spent more than half his life there, and up and attained Kenyan citizenship. Enter Kip Keino: "We like your style, li'l cat. Come. Join us. *arms outstretched*" Would he be "accepted" as "just as Kenyan" as any other "real" Kenyans? Discuss.

Your scenario would never happen, as Keino would not waste his time with someone who could never make a Kenyan Team.

Seriously they have so much depth that Kenyan teens are kicking Webb's ass.

This is a VERY good question. The fact that no one wants to answer it proves just that.

So you have different standards for Kenya than you have for the U.S. Fine, just come out and say so. Then, ask yourself WHY you have different standards for them.