Woohoo! 3 Kenyans running the Marathon for France

Lee Greenwood wrote:

The French have she same problem as the English do: soccer.

I don't agree. In Portugal and Spain, they also have football and they run.

Umm, lots of Africans live in France and have for many years. But I guess what you're saying is they shouldn't let them. Or they shouldn't give them citizenship. Or maybe they should force them to take French last names like the US slaves.

perspectivist wrote:

Umm, lots of Africans live in France and have for many years. But I guess what you're saying is they shouldn't let them. Or they shouldn't give them citizenship. Or maybe they should force them to take French last names like the US slaves.

The Africans who live in France are mostly Francophones from former French colonies in Africa. There's a historical connection there and even the newer immigrants would have moved to France already speaking French from their home countries or even already French citizens. France has the largest black population in Europe.

However, France has absolutely no connection with Kenya. Kenya was a British colony so French is not spoken at all. Infact, most Kenyans know very little about France save for their national football team. If Kenyans emigrate, they mostly go to the UK or the US.

Kenyanna wrote:

The Africans who live in France are mostly Francophones from former French colonies in Africa. There's a historical connection there and even the newer immigrants would have moved to France already speaking French from their home countries or even already French citizens. France has the largest black population in Europe.

However, France has absolutely no connection with Kenya. Kenya was a British colony so French is not spoken at all. Infact, most Kenyans know very little about France save for their national football team. If Kenyans emigrate, they mostly go to the UK or the US.

Kenyans go wherever they can to get out of Kenya. That's the truth.

France has lots of people from everywhere. It's a very diverse society and a popular destination for immigrants from ALL African countries.

There are of course some right-wing nutjobs who don't want those Africans in France, and I take it from this thread that many on letsrun would agree with them.

Kenyans go wherever they can to get out of Kenya. That's the truth.

France has lots of people from everywhere. It's a very diverse society and a popular destination for immigrants from ALL African countries

Wrong! I know a ton of Kenyans who live in the US and UK, but don't, personally, know any who lives in France. My cousin attended a French University for one year but transfered the hell out of there.

And this may come as shock to you, but there isn't exactly a stampede of Kenyans dying to emigrate anymore. This may have been the case in the early '90s, but given the chance to travel, many realised they can live a much better quality life than in the west.

I, like Lagat, went to school in the US. but my most enduring memories from my days at Dartmouth is just how homesick I was. You can bet your life I hauled ass back home immeadiately after graduation.

Kenyanna wrote:

Wrong! I know a ton of Kenyans who live in the US and UK, but don't, personally, know any who lives in France. My cousin attended a French University for one year but transfered the hell out of there.

You are right, there are very few kenyans who live in France, except those who come for running. And when you are in the University, you absolutely need to speak french because people won't do anything to help you if you don't.

Lee Greenwood wrote:

The French have she same problem as the English do: soccer.

Don´t forget central- and South America, the rest of Europe and and most countries in Asia.

Thanks for the confirmation Badabeu. BTW, it's strange to me that a couple of Kenyans would end up in the French Foreign Legion. These two are the first I've ever heard of.

Folks, more Africans speak French than English, hence the larger number of Africans living in France. Francophone countries are mostly in West and Central Africa which also has a larger population density. East and Southern Africa is mostly English speaking save for a couple of countries where Portuguese is the official language. When I was in college, I found it annoying that more than a few Americans thought Africa was one country.

Well, that's it for today's geography lesson, kids. Bye, bye.

Kenyanna wrote:

Thanks for the confirmation Badabeu. BTW, it's strange to me that a couple of Kenyans would end up in the French Foreign Legion. These two are the first I've ever heard of.

Yes it is quite new that kenyans are recruited in the French Foreign Legion.

Here are the french ranking for 10km and half marathon:

vent=VR

All the guys who are with "athleg provence" are in the Foreign Legion and you can see that there are not only kenyans...

I think that it may be great for them because life may be easier for them in France, great for their coaches because they get immediate good results, but it is very bad for native french runners.

polands wrote:

did you see the finalists for the US in the mens 1500? a mexican, sudanese and kenan.

idiot, open your eyes.

You've proven you are an idiot with that reply.

America is a country of immigrants.

Some came later to the table.

Clearly guys like Lamong and Lagat appreciate being American than many born here.

Kenyanna wrote:

Wrong! I know a ton of Kenyans who live in the US and UK, but don't, personally, know any who lives in France. My cousin attended a French University for one year but transfered the hell out of there.

Oh OK, well I guess that proves that there are no Kenyans in France. LOL

perspectivist wrote:

Kenyanna wrote:

Wrong! I know a ton of Kenyans who live in the US and UK, but don't, personally, know any who lives in France. My cousin attended a French University for one year but transfered the hell out of there.

Oh OK, well I guess that proves that there are no Kenyans in France. LOL

I didn't say it does, genius. Illiterate much?

Kenyanna wrote:

I didn't say it does, genius. Illiterate much?

No, actually. Did you think I was Kenyan?

They probably left to get away from Kenyan politics and to have a chance for a decent life. The average wage in Kenya is $1/day and the unemployment rate is sky high, according to the book More Fire. BTW, the average worldwide daily wage is $2, so almost anyplace else is better than Kenya, money wise.

True, Kenya is a poor country with high umemployment. Most of the rural population still survives on subsitence farming. The North of the country is arid and people are nomadic. But we have cities and towns, too.

Also, little money goes a long, long, way in Kenya. There's actually tons of emigres from Europe and, yes, North America who've decided to make Kenya their permanent home. Here, they can afford beautiful homes in exclusive neighbourhoods, quality private education for their kids, cooks, nannies and gardeners and access to world class beaches and game parks. All this for not much more than they used to pay living in a shoebox in New York. But I have to admit, the gap between the haves and have-nots is jarring. We also have a Zimbabwe-like problem where white settlers and the politically connected own insane tracts of land.

And Perspectivist? Theres's alot, more Americans living in Kenya than Kenyans who've even been to France, I assure you.

This thread is suprisingly educative.

Dartmouth would make anyone homesick.

All three of those guys live in this country. Lomong went to high school and college in this country and grew up in this country.

Lagat came as an adult but is as patriotic as anyone and more so than most people. He is a proud American and proud that his child will grow up here.

Where is the line? My grandparents came from Italy as adults and could barely speak English until they died- they became citizens and were Americans.

idiot, open your eyes.

Pad Berson wrote:

Dartmouth would make anyone homesick.

Boy, did I find out.

I'd chosen the US for college partly because, growing up, I had this romanticised image of it gleaned from Hollywood movies and tv shows. To be fair, there were a lot of positives as well.