People who think this isnt bad for the sport are in flat out DENIAL

I always find these complaints funny when they come from the same people who bash Division Three competition.

I think it is good for the sport, to eliminate, early on, the kids who are intimidated.

Doesn't bother me. I still compete in the NCAA, whether there are Kenyans or not. I would be ashamed to compete in a sport that limited involvement to those we deemed "American enough." In other words, "easy enough to beat." Man up.

[quote]photofinish wrote:

It may sound racist, but the OP is right (and who really cares if it sounds racist, that isn't the point). Results like this year after year turn off the public. Why isn't badminton more popular here? Complete Indian domination. Table Tennis? Complete Chinese domination.

Really. Badminton would be popular if Americcan were better at it? I suppose the same is true of mumbly peg and croquet

photofinish wrote:

If you want a sport to be appealing to the public and get kids participating, there have to be a bunch of Americans who are at least in the mix. Look at football, baseball, and basketball (Americans, Americans, and Americans) and then look at badminton, ping pong, and running (Indians, Chinese, and Kenyans). What sports do you think Americans kids are going to pick?

You.

Just.

Don't.

Get.

It.

Do you think that "Americans kids" (I assume you mean American kids?) are watching NCAA cross-country nationals on a Saturday afternoon, deciding what sport they want to pursue? Somehow I'm pretty certain that's not the case.

Definitely, being in the mix on the WORLD STAGE is going to raise kids' interest. Rupp's silver is a great example of that: he probably single-handedly got thousands of kids to think of track with that race alone.

Oh, wait, though! Rupp developed in the NCAA, where is only real competition came from ... where? Think.

Hate to break it to you, but no 12 year-olds are watching the NCAA XC meet, and the few that are we don't need to worry about keeping their interest. 12 year olds are aware of only the very top of the sport, if that, and a competitive world-class NCAA is helping the US to get there.

What the hell is the point of competing if you're just going to cry foul whenever someone is better than you? Isn't this kind of the entire point of racing? If you don't like getting beat by east Africans, run harder. You don't win by being a whining sissy.

Here is something that is actually worth beiong upset about, as opposed to the racist whining of the OP.

Your tax dollars at work:

Early this morning, just after dawn, the Israeli military targeted two media buildings in the Gaza Strip, injuring six journalists with one losing his leg in an amputation after the bombing. "We obviously know there are journalists in the building," said IDF spokesperson Avital Leibovich hours later, confirming the Israeli military knowingly targeted news organizations in a military strike to destroy an antenna that was located on the roof of the building. Leibovich continued, "so we did not attack any other floor in the building, but my advice to journalist visiting Gaza is to stay away from any Hamas positions, or Hamas sites, or Hamas posts for their own safety."

British independent filmmaker and activist based in Gaza, Harry Fear, also confirmed over Twitter today that media outlets were phoned this morning to flee from their offices. "Israel agents phone Gaza media threatening to flatten their buildings to the ground unless they evacuate," said Fear on Twitter.

Located in Gaza City the offices included Sky News, al-Arabiya news network, Dubai TV al-Aqsa TV, Russia Today, and Lebanese, German and Italien news teams. Khader al-Zahhar, a cameraman for al-Quds TV was rushed to a hospital after the air strike.

The Guardian reports:

A number of media organisations are based in the al-Shawa building, including al-Quds television, which is associated with Islamic Jihad. Khader al-Zahhar, a cameraman with al-Quds TV, had his leg amputated as a result of injuries sustained in the attack.

A second air strike struck another media complex in the city, the al-Shuruq building. It houses Sky News, the al-Arabiya news network, Dubai TV and an office of al-Aqsa TV, which is affiliated with Hamas.

Sky News reporter Sam Kiley was sleeping in the offices when the missile struck shortly before 7am. 'The missile hit the floor above us. There was a big flash of light and the sound of breaking glass.'

jyfjyf wrote:

20806 wrote:

I have a friend who was a typical football, baseball sports fan who barely even considered running a sport . After the 10000 at the olympics he actually made the comment that it was actually very interesting. Is that because Rupp got second, almost undoubtedly. As a middle class american he cant relate to many Kenyan distance runners but Rupp looks like someone you might know and be fiends with. How did Rupp get to that level? By competing against the best and not limiting himself. Winning NCAAs is great but competing on the world scale is what athletes should be striving for.

If Rupp was black, would your friend have still found it interesting?

I have no idea for sure but he did mention that Mo Farah seemed like a cool guy. Race is not the only factor that disconnects people from the kenyan athletes. They also are not from our world and don't know our cultural.

I don't mind the current set up except for the All-American awards. I believe that only Americans should be able to earn All- American status. The non-americans still get to challange for the championship along with the Americans. I think this would keep a little more interest in the sport. If someone feels this is disciminatory, then we can create an All non-American award and no American can win it.

photofinish wrote:

. Look at football, baseball, and basketball (Americans, Americans, and Americans)

Baseball - Americans, i guess if you count Latin Americans, because that is where most come from.

NBA is full of East block players- that is the only way they can get any white guys.