Is Magdalena Boulet a real American runner?

Excellent! She is as American as Meb, all four of my grandparents and you and me.

Countries are bullshit. They were created to protect the interests of a certain class of people and stoke patriotism for their own benefits. We're all human beings after the same things in life. Magdalena is as human as you and I. Her nationality is not a major issue of importance. Her performance, however, was very impressive.

She is as American as Bernard Lagat, Meb, the Black Cactus, Sanya Richards, etc. End of discussion...next?

but it was the only reason I watch the Winter Olympics....Country VS Country....hell, the way you think?... why even run against anyone?.....and what stop there, this whole thing about competition should be stopped...

Lewy-Boulet was born in Jastrzębie-Zdrój, Poland and became a U.S. citizen on September 11, 2001. So, she's no different than Meb or Abdi. However, I don't see her being vilified on this message board for not being an American from birth. Why is this?

Lewy-Boulet was born in Jastrzębie-Zdrój, Poland and became a U.S. citizen on September 11, 2001. So, she's no different than Meb or Abdi. However, I don't see her being vilified on this message board for not being an American from birth. Why is this?

IRunXC wrote:

Lewy-Boulet was born in Jastrzębie-Zdrój, Poland and became a U.S. citizen on September 11, 2001. So, she's no different than Meb or Abdi. However, I don't see her being vilified on this message board for not being an American from birth. Why is this?

Exactly. This thread was not to attack Magdalena but more of a defense of Meb and the other foreign born American runners.

Why aren't people talking about her not being American born? Is it because, though she had a break through race, she hasn't won a major race? Or because she is white? Or do we accept Poles as our own.

IRunXC wrote:

Lewy-Boulet was born in Jastrzębie-Zdrój, Poland and became a U.S. citizen on September 11, 2001. So, she's no different than Meb or Abdi. However, I don't see her being vilified on this message board for not being an American from birth. Why is this?

Exactly. This thread was not to attack Magdalena but more of a defense of Meb and the other foreign born American runners.

Why aren't people talking about her not being American born? Is it because, though she had a break through race, she hasn't won a major race? Or because she is white? Or do we accept Poles as our own?

Runner 451 wrote:

IRunXC wrote:

Lewy-Boulet was born in Jastrzębie-Zdrój, Poland and became a U.S. citizen on September 11, 2001. So, she's no different than Meb or Abdi. However, I don't see her being vilified on this message board for not being an American from birth. Why is this?

Exactly. This thread was not to attack Magdalena but more of a defense of Meb and the other foreign born American runners.

Why aren't people talking about her not being American born? Is it because, though she had a break through race, she hasn't won a major race? Or because she is white? Or do we accept Poles as our own.

I see your points, but when people see a white distance runner who's a US citizen they just assume that runner was born a US citizen. There are very few American born black distance runners and almost all of the elite US black distance runners(5k and up) were not born US citizens. All this said I still believe Meb is every bit as American as Magdalena.

Given that she didn't grow up at altitude in a country rabid about distance running, yes, she is a real American. Next?

3200guy wrote:

Runner 451 wrote:

[quote]IRunXC wrote:

Lewy-Boulet was born in Jastrzębie-Zdrój, Poland and became a U.S. citizen on September 11, 2001. So, she's no different than Meb or Abdi. However, I don't see her being vilified on this message board for not being an American from birth. Why is this?

why aren't people talking about her not being American born? Is it because, though she had a break through race, she hasn't won a major race? Or because she is white? Or do we accept Poles as our own.

Here is the difference: East Africans are felt to have the advantage of being born and raised at altitude which gives them an advantage from the get-go to Americans or Europeans.

Born and raised at altitude? Ryan Hall was born, raised, and lives, at altitude. Maybe he should be considered a U.S. born, white East African. That would help peeps distinguish him from ordinary U.S. born, or naturalized, runners who are not so privileged.

Countries are BS? Cool, then lets just buy out all the Kenyans ASAP.

She's definitely real, I saw her running down the street the other day and yelled "Go Magda!" She gave a fist pump. Her husband (yes I'm relegating an elite American miler to husband status) gave me a long look, perhaps on account of my superhero bike outfit.

Billy Mills is the only real American runner I know.

here is the bottom line.. wrote:

Here is the difference: East Africans are felt to have the advantage of being born and raised at altitude which gives them an advantage from the get-go to Americans or Europeans.

I would guarentee we have at least 20x more kids born and raised at altitude than in East Africa.

here is the bottom line.. wrote:

Here is the difference: East Africans are felt to have the advantage of being born and raised at altitude which gives them an advantage from the get-go to Americans or Europeans.

Oh, I see, so Poland is o.k. but if she had been born and raised in the swiss alps that wouldn't be?

cappy wrote:

Billy Mills is the only real American runner I know.

And even he is part white.

~~~~~~~~ wrote:

here is the bottom line.. wrote:

Here is the difference: East Africans are felt to have the advantage of being born and raised at altitude which gives them an advantage from the get-go to Americans or Europeans.

Oh, I see, so Poland is o.k. but if she had been born and raised in the swiss alps that wouldn't be?

And I guess it all depends on which part of Somalia Abdi is from--the sea level part or the mountainous part.