It now seems that Cherono/Shaheen won't run for his adopted country of Qatar. The National Olympics Committee of Kenya (NOCK) closed the door to his ambitions for being the first non-Kenyan to win the 3000m steeplechase olymics gold in almost 30 years. Pole sana.
too bad, so sad.
Too bad. But after reading about his coach, one can see why he wanted to get away.
Great I was hoping that would happen, now if only the other defectors are stopped. The effect of the defection and lack of pride in running for their country has had a dramatic impact on Kenya's other athletes the last year and a half.
Vipam
lifiztuf,
just what are you upto??
NativeSon wrote:
lifiztuf,
just what are you upto??
Are you the guy in the story? : )
No, I am not. I am not from Kapenguria.
" 'We are not against Cherono to represent his new country but we have to follow the rules set by IOC charter,' explained Kipchoge in Eldoret."
Keino seems to be suggesting that Kenya's hands were tied on the matter. Isn't that a bit disingenous?
Excellent!
Not in my book, actually the rule should be in stone. You switch countries and you cannot represent your new country until 3 years after you represented the country you left-NO EXCEPTIONS for anyone. That would be fair and prevent some athletes from jumping ship for immediate financial gain.
Vipam
My understanding is that the rules were not changed for Wilson K. so they will not be changed for Shaheen (as there are no special circumstances). But I don't agree with making the 3 year rule absolute -- if something happens; ie, you're an Iraqi athlete under oppressive rule and would not have the opportunity to compete in the Games. If you can escape and find asylum, you shouldn't be required to wait 3 years.
By making a rule like that absolute, you remove the human decision from the process, thereby removing responsibility for an unpopular choice. How many instances can we remember where an American athlete far and away the best in his/her event over their compatriots but was unable to complete/complete the USA Trials and was left off of the team? If Coe were an American in '84, and still not in peak form for the Trials and took 4th, he wouldn't have run in LA, and wouldn't have won the gold and silver he did. There are always exceptions to the rules.
Well said track,
Rules are not curved/cast in stone. I like the Iraq comparison and would support it to the hilt. anything else smacks of greed. we have heard that cherono earned Kshs. 76 million ($1 million) just for winning the steeplechase gold. Never mind that he denied it. since bank accounts are secretive, we may never know the fact. His was a case of greed. I however support Lornah kiplagat. she is gracious and has done wonders for her native country.
This is another reason why the Olympics is not the best track meet in the world.
There are boycotts, or certain athletes not participating for politcal reasons.
There are athletes who are in between citizenship changes.
There are athletes who may not have been at peak fitness for their Trials and didn't make the team but are champions or world record holders.
Countries can only send 3 athletes per event when they may have the best 10 in the world.
Then you have guys who can't break 12 seconds for the 100 because any country can send one athlete regardless of ability.
Zurich is the meet.
Whoever wins the olympic steeple gold, I won't consider him the best without Cherono being in the race.
I wish the Olympic games were more about the best athletes competing against each other rather than a bunch of political BS.
If the Kenyan federation or whoever is in charge doesn't want their athletes to leave, then maybe they should stop acting like a bunch of "FASCISTS." For example, forcing runners to report to training camp. It reminds me of the BS Prefontaine and other athletes used to have to go through with the AAU.
The way the Kenyan federation acts, you would think they own runners like Cherono. NOT!
WHOEVER RUNS KENYAN ATHLETICS, RUNNERS LIKE CHERONO ARE INDIVIDUALS, SO STOP TREATING THEM AS IF YOU OWN THEM. HOW WOULD YOU LIKE IT IF SOMEBODY ACTED AS IF THEY OWNED YOU?
any truth that he has already gone through two cars this year ? feels like early warning sign that he's going to go off the rails like a few others in recent years