From ChasingGlory.com
Risky Business
Abdi took a risk when he went to Japan in August to represent the U.S. at the IAAF World Track and Field Championships. Although he ran with the medal winners in the 10,000 meters until 7,000 meters, and eventually finished in seventh place, Murray wished he hadn’t gone. But representing his country is as special as it gets for the Somalia-born Abdi.
“I’m as American as they come,” says Abdi. “I came here at a young age. I grew up in the U.S., and started running here. I went to school here. So I think I’m American. If you look at history, everyone’s parents or great grandparents came from somewhere else. I didn’t come here as a runner or on a scholarship. It was my choice.”
Abdi represented the USA for the first time at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia, where he placed 10th in the 10,000 meters. “Oh, man, that was the greatest moment of my life!” he says. “The day it hits you is when you come to the stadium in competition wearing the USA jersey. You’re not just running for yourself, you’re running for the whole nation.”