African runners treat Lagat like SHIT

Are you sure that Lagat isn't getting bumped by Africans, but by whoever happens to be in the race, and only Africa is any good anymore so it's just coincidence? In his 5k heat he was having some words with an Eritrean... why does an Eritrean care what some once-Kenyan dude does?

skah coat wrote:

Are you sure that Lagat isn't getting bumped by Africans, but by whoever happens to be in the race, and only Africa is any good anymore so it's just coincidence? In his 5k heat he was having some words with an Eritrean... why does an Eritrean care what some once-Kenyan dude does?

You'll have to ask the Eritreans. Maybe he figures he can get brownie points with the Kenyans for doing their dirty work.

Also, maybe they bump and jostle him because he's a complete stud who would usually beat them straight-up, so they feel like dirty play is their best bet at beating him? In my own running life, I've had inferior athletes elbow me and cut me off in order to try and get me off my game. Maybe that's got something to do with it.

Plus, it's not just Lagat that gets that treatment. Look at any of the WC races - guys tripping, falling on the track, getting bumped in the back - a lot of that is having 8-10 guys all bunched up. In both the men's and women's races, there has been all sorts of contact, between everyone.

That said, Lagat got put in a vicious box in Beijing. That looked almost orchestrated.

Said Khalid Muhammad wrote:

Has anyone else noticed that Lagat is constantly being bumped, shoved, and cut off during his races by African runners? This happened in Beijing too, especially in the final of the 5000. Are the Kenyans mad that Lagat went to the US? Whatever the case, it's pretty bad sportsmanship...

Have you ever noticed the Kenyans, Ethiopians and generally all third world runners are allowed cut off, bump, shove, trip Americans, Europeans and Asians in general - with no fear of disqualification? It takes a transplanted Kenyan to make you notice the average behavior of E. Africans on the track?

Kenyanna wrote:

Blah Blah

You're obviously an idiot!

Could you guys be any more obtuse? Really? I've tried to explain how, even when running for Kenya, Lagat would complain of being boxed or spiked (as an excuse for not winning) to the Kenyan media. The culprits were always others who, from a partisan perspective, either considered him the one to beat or were tired of seeing Kenyans on the podium. And you expect things to be any different because he's changed vests?

Its a vicious battle on those tracks, no room for pussyfooting. And as hard as it may be for you to believe, Kenyans are quite often the victims of such foul play and the usual reaction is to fight back. Kenyans will always complain about Ethiopians and vice versa. The rest of the world, because they're being run out of it, will always complain about the Africans. But letsrunners seem to reflexively blame Kenyans because 1). There seems to be so many of them in every race 2). They run as a team, something I'd suggest individualistic Americans consider. Sometimes, a lion needs the rest of the pride to bring down a powerful buffalo.

I was shocked when letsrunners even blamed Janeth Jepkosgei for the Semenya incident in the heats. Heck, did you see the treatment Nancy Lagat got in the women's 1500 semis? She's a tough girl and you won't hear her whine because unlike your Lagat,ours has what you Americans call "cojones" (No Semenya jokes, please). She'll pick herself up, chalk it down to experience and show up more determined and prepared next time. Very warrior. Very Kenyan.

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. (sort of like the biblical Esau selling his birthright to Jacob for a hot meal). To Kenyans, that is such a total loss of face and standing. People will be polite, but they won't respect you.

His wife is not African. Both were educated in the US and lived here for some time. While Africans may not respect his decision, it certainly had far more to do with his mate and the culture she could be comfortable in than financial opportunities. No need to judge him so critically.

Well, look at it the other way around: what would you say if Tyson Gay all of a sudden would start for Bahrain, would you still cheer for him? Probably not.

I don't like the idea of athletes switching citizenship for the sake of money. IMHO, the IAAF needs to jump in and have a rule similar to the soccer federation (FIFA). Once you run for a country in WC or Olympics, you can never run for any other country.

Keyan does not allow dual Citizenship athletes to compete for them, so when Lagat obtained his US citizenship they booted him from the team, so therefor Lagat runs for USA

give him a break wrote:

[quote]Kenyanna wrote:

His wife is not African. Both were educated in the US and lived here for some time. While Africans may not respect his decision, it certainly had far more to do with his mate and the culture she could be comfortable in than financial opportunities. No need to judge him so critically.

I will somehow disagree.

AS much as I don't know the reason as to why Lagat switched his nationality, in our (African) culture, it is the woman who adapts by moving over to the man and not the other way round. It is usually the case though not the rule. It probably had more to do with his financial well being which is fine with me.

Kenyans don't 'mistreat' Lagat. They are just out to beat him. Frankly, every Kenyan runner wants to be like Lagat, or El G for that matter. I disagree with the premise of your post, initiater of the thread.

Kenyanna wrote:

As for Bekele, Kenyans regard him with the utmost awe and respect. Yes, there's some envy, but his exploits are acknowledged as LEGENDARY. No hate whatsoever. Every year, a new kid is inspired to run hoping to be the one to take him down. And when that day comes (and it will come), that kid will become a national hero.

I second that, Kenyanna.

Most amazing part of that wiki entry:

During the mid-1980s, Sgt. Slaughter released a full length LP, Sgt. Slaughter and Camouflage Rocks America. It featured a number of original songs, including "The Cobra Clutch," as well as a cover of Neil Diamond's "America."

Kenyanna you are really struggling to make any sense.I am not sure if this is a cultural block or if all Kenyans are really that stupid. OH wait they are, its been proven with IQ tests. Dumb africans go throw spears at each other.

Nutella wrote:

Well, look at it the other way around: what would you say if Tyson Gay all of a sudden would start for Bahrain, would you still cheer for him? Probably not.

I don't like the idea of athletes switching citizenship for the sake of money. IMHO, the IAAF needs to jump in and have a rule similar to the soccer federation (FIFA). Once you run for a country in WC or Olympics, you can never run for any other country.

Thanks Nutella. What I was trying to convey exactly. Only some of the earlier posts were winding me up so I was forced to go all defensive.

lame excuse!

Ethio Boy wrote:

lame excuse!

Are Ethiopians falling over themselves to name schools and newborn baby girls after Jamal?

Kenyanna wrote:so I was forced to go all defensive.

No, it was a choice to be defensive.

Lagat has elbows, he can use them too.

Maybe some other US runners can link up and block out the nasties or go full body contact as in the original ROLLERBALL film.

Imagine full boyd contact 1500-meter races?

Cool.

Kenyanna wrote:

Thanks Nutella. What I was trying to convey exactly. Only some of the earlier posts were winding me up so I was forced to go all defensive.

You 'got all defensive' in virtually every post. Even today, you tossed in the word 'obtuse'.

If the point of your posts is to convince people of your opinion, calling them 'incorrigibly stupid', 'dumb Americans', and 'obtuse' is a terrible way to go about it.