I know both of those talented runners have already applied for U.S citizenship; however, haven't heard much about it lately. Surely someone on letsrun have some factually information concerning how close those two future U.S superstars are to becoming U.S. citizens. Will either or both be eligible for U.S Olympic Trials 2012?
For both of them definitely not by 2011 Worlds and a slight chance by 2012 Olympic Trials but that's pushing it but its not totally out of the realm of possiblity. Would certainly change the mindset of both 10000m Trials as the other athletes know it wouldn't be a sit and kick affair as so many U.S Championships have been in the past.
VIPAM wrote:
For both of them definitely not by 2011 Worlds and a slight chance by 2012 Olympic Trials but that's pushing it but its not totally out of the realm of possiblity. Would certainly change the mindset of both 10000m Trials as the other athletes know it wouldn't be a sit and kick affair as so many U.S Championships have been in the past.
You are correct on the 2011 Worlds being out, but assuminmg they applied 1 year ago as I have heard, 2012 is very likely and even the 2011 Worlds is not completely out of the question if either one of them applied 19 months ago.
On second thought, the 2011 Worlds is out becasue they would not be eligible for the trials.
They let them compete at USA's if they'll be citizens by Worlds (i.e. Lopez Lomong '07). However, I doubt Kenya will sign off on either one of them switching nationalities and they would have to wait 3 years to compete for the US regardless.
I think the 3 year thing only applies to the last time they represented their previous country in international competition. Have either of them made a Kenya team in the last few years?
If you can't beat them...import them
VIPAM and Track Coach
Thanks for the update. Here's to hoping their both eligible for 2012 because if their healthy they'll both make the 10000m teams. By 2012 at their rate of improvement they each would give the U.S.A with Chris Solinsky and Lisa Koll two more solid medal threats in the men and women's Olympic 10000m.
God I hope not.
My take on it wrote:
God I hope not.
what, dont you want to see the USA have more medal threats in the distance races?
douglas burke wrote:
what, dont you want to see the USA have more medal threats in the distance races?
Correction: dont you want to see the USA have medal threats in the distance races?
Neither are a bigger threat to medal than any other eligible American runner at present.
Not like that I don't. If you have to bring in a ringer to win a game, you didn't really win.
Jim Estes at the USATF offices confirms that they must sit out of international competition for a minimum of 2 years from the day they become US citizens.
The confusion over 3 years is that if you represented another country, you may not represent the US for 3 years.
However, there is no way around the minimum 2 years from the day of citizenship.
Yes, this is a new rule that took effect on April 1, 2010. The "newest" American of note who will be eligible for the trials will be Robert Cheseret.
Nike reality check wrote:
Jim Estes at the USATF offices confirms that they must sit out of international competition for a minimum of 2 years from the day they become US citizens.
The confusion over 3 years is that if you represented another country, you may not represent the US for 3 years.
However, there is no way around the minimum 2 years from the day of citizenship.
None of this should be a problem for Chelanga...I really can't remember if he's ever donned the KEN vest, certainly not in the last few years.
The real question, though: IS THIS RULE RUPP-CERTIFIED?
My take on it wrote:
Not like that I don't. If you have to bring in a ringer to win a game, you didn't really win.
No, actually you did.
They would have had to become US citizens by last summer to be eligible by the '12 Trials. 2011 + 2 = 2013, eh, too late.
People, it takes 5 years from getting a green card, plus the 2 year waiting period. Maybe it's quicker serving in the military. They do not hand out US citizenship like it's candy.
These rumors happen with every Kenyan that stays in the US after college. How is Boaz Cheboywa's citizenship coming?
RAAACCIISTTSS!!
There, I got that out of the way. Now hopefully you can continue a real conversation without the idiots on here hijacking a thread with their ridiculous "everyone is racist" comments.
There was a Flotrack interview with Chelanga early in the cross country season where he said he was hoping to have the citizenship process accelerated because of his running talents, but they don't do that, so he has to wait just like everybody else.