Okay, I give up. Kenyans are mad, blood-thirsty, murderous people who shouldn't be allowed on the track. And what happened in the weeks after rigged 2007 election is the norm for that blood-drenched, ugly country.
And oh, Lagat has lived in the US for so long he still speaks with a Kenyan accent. His decicsion to change nationality had absolutely nothing to do with the difficulty of making the Kenyan team.
My bad.
News Flash! Lagat IS an African runner.
Kenyanna wrote:
Okay, I give up. Kenyans are mad, blood-thirsty, murderous people who shouldn't be allowed on the track. And what happened in the weeks after rigged 2007 election is the norm for that blood-drenched, ugly country.
And oh, Lagat has lived in the US for so long he still speaks with a Kenyan accent. His decicsion to change nationality had absolutely nothing to do with the difficulty of making the Kenyan team.
My bad.
Why so upset? It was just a comment from a 'dumb American'.
I seriously don't think Lagat would have been that worried about making the 1500 team for Kenya. He is a great tactical runner, unlike many of the contemporary Kenyan runners (Asbel Kiprop for example). Lagat recognized the advantages of living in the U.S., which is something millions of other immigrants to western countries have considered.
Why so upset? It was just a comment from a 'dumb American'.
Hon? Win or lose, we're passionate about our running. You think a sprinkling of passion and heart is needed for some REAL Americans to start being competitive? Or should you start calling your national champions "world" champs? It won't be unusual for American sports.
Just asking.
You've got a mighty big chip on your shoulder.
Taco Time Tuesday wrote:
you sir are a liar. Cherono still lives in Kenya and trains in Kenya.
mighty porn stache wrote:It's been going on for several years now. And yes, it's because he gave up his Kenyan citizenship. They also treat Kamel, Belal Ali, Shaheen, Kemboi of qatar, and others like shit, too. They're seen as sellouts.
Shaheen (formerly stephen cherono)'s brother, quite a successful runner himself, will not talk to his brother any more. At least it was that way for several years. Maybe they made up now. And remember, Shaheen has always made Kenya his permanent home. So, his brother would not talk to him even though he lived down the street essentially. And now the 2nd fastest 1500m man in history gave up his citizenship? Yeah, they'll treat him like shit.
Read my post again, you fvckin moron! Here, I'll quote it for you again since you're too stupid to have read it yourself:
"And remember, Shaheen has always made Kenya his permanent home. "
See that? fvcking idiot....
nothing to see here wrote:
You've got a mighty big chip on your shoulder.
And you know this how? Again, I'm passionate about running and it probably shows but, unlike you, I'm not just talk. Why, if I knew where you lived I'd challenge you to a 5k cross country. I'm sure I could own you. And oh, unlike Semenya, I'm all girl.
If Kenyans value respect and national pride so much, why are there so many "sellouts?"
This isn't a Kenya hating post though. The exodus is probably due to the capricious, imperial athletic federation dicking around with them.
JJ Jones wrote:
They are sellouts. Imagine leaving your country. Pathetic.
Yeah, national borders are put there by GOD himself. Whoever dares to disrespect them in pursuit of personal happiness or success is surely pathetic.
Wørd wrote:
No different from the abuse Bekele has to endure from the Kenyans. In fact, Lagat is getting an easy ride by comparison.
What, you thought track was a gentlemen's sport?
Bekele has his teammates doing practically whatever he wants every single race... Sihine and Geb are excellent bodyguards for example. He literally gives them orders as they race. They will screw their own chance to get silver or bronze for him. They literally shield him when he needs to make moves. Lagat and Shaheen are swimming through an ocean of cheap shots and have to run with a boxer mindset the entire race. Oh, and while we are talking about the poor treatment of Lagat by Africans, why don't we just have Lomong and Manzano play bodyguard for him? Oh wait, that's not gonna happen we're Americans who don't know how to use teamwork! Comparing Lagat's situation to the most protected man in Track and Field is soooo out there I just can't begin to imagine what you were thinking when you said that.
Okay, I have to apologise for my angrier posts. But its sooo frustrating having to read some of the ignorant, braindead posts like a few above from such a relatively well-informed and knowledgable site.
Anyway, I'm done venting. Sorry if I offended you.
he's a sellout for leaving?
call me crazy but I'd much rather live in America than in some 3rd world country like Kenya... even if they are great runners, doesn't mean they live longer or their quality of life is better than anyone else.
It's the same reason I don't want to live in southern mexico, or Uganda or mongolia...who the f*** wants to live there??
I don't believe Lagat works in the import/export business as a trader ... but I'll try and research it and see what I find.
I don't think he's a "looser" either, which I'm sure will pop up, soon. I wonder if "their" getting used to all this bad grammar?
ExPhys wrote:
he's a sellout for leaving?
call me crazy but I'd much rather live in America than in some 3rd world country like Kenya... even if they are great runners, doesn't mean they live longer or their quality of life is better than anyone else.
It's the same reason I don't want to live in southern mexico, or Uganda or mongolia...who the f*** wants to live there??
Just when I decide to simmer down, another Rhodes Scholar decides to grace us with their insights. UGH!
I now agree with my European friends: AMERICANS ARE INCORRIGILY STUPID! They just can't help it.
BTW, Lagat is the perenial whinger. Remember at the Sydney Olympics when Noah Ngeny sprinted past ElG to snatch the gold? Lagat came in third. He whined to the Kenyan media in Nairobi that he was "boxed" and "spiked" otherwise he too would have beaten Hicham ElG.
If I were racing against Lagat, I'd be sure to think of his welfare first and clear the way for him, even at my own expense because I don't want or deserve to win as much as he does.
Kenyanna - your last post puts you in the same class as ExPhys. And just after you'd redeemed yourself of those earlier rash posts.
I, for one, am thrilled to have Lagat on my team and I don't blame the African runners one bit for making him work for every second he gains on them. As they should.
Golden meet berlin 5k this year. Look at that race before you open your mouth.
Kenyanna wrote:
Yes, the likes of Lagat, Wilson Kipketer, Greg Konchellah and Cherono are considered sellouts because they've done the unforgivable; SOLD THEIR HERITAGE FOR FINANCIAL GAIN.
You can't feed your family with heritage.
Some don't consider them "MEN" anymore. This is especially a big deal in Lagat's Kalenjin tribe (traditionally fearless warriors). What he's done is considered a betrayal, desertion and, worst of all, cowardly. If he were single, he'd be hard-pressed to get a date in his home village.
I'm sure this is a big concern to runners who move to America.
This is the 21st century, post globalization. Being a warrior is no longer the most honorable position, be it in sports or actual war; we are in the age of the mind, not the age of the body. The days of national pride are diminishing as globalization becomes a larger and larger factor in the world.
Lagat can put an end to this very easily. Before a big international race, go on the record by saying "If I feel I am being intentionally bumped, I will have no choice but to insure that the runner who impedes me does not finish. I realize this may result in disqualification of me, but he will have the same result. Neither of us will medal. If I sense it is a coordinated effort, then more of us will finish without medals or not finish at all."
If he did this, followed through if appropriate, it would end. He could do it bu running up on or stepping on the heels of the offender. Or he could just clock him. Then again, I grew up south of Chicago, and this would be done without warning.