What is everyone's problem with the US Army runners being Kenyan?

ThunderThighs wrote:

Most Americans don't even know where Kenya is.

Um, yes we do. It's where all these Kenyans keep coming from.

And your point is?

Or maybe just Donald Browne requires all accepted applicants to be Kenyan for the T&F team?

We are discussing T&F so Boxing, Rugby, Shooting .... are not relevant topics

Only that all 6 runners in the program are Kenyan plus a token walker

I'm a believer that as a country of immigrants, we should embrace immigrants, but can't we get some faster Kenyan immigrants. Neither of these guys would have been top 50 on Kenya's 2015 10,000 list.

I'd like to see guys with PRs that start with 26 not 28 running for the U.S. Army.

Illinoisphotographer wrote:

where was he born? wrote:

Some of us like to see athletes who grew up in America, e.g. are products of domestic programs compete for us internationally.

Frankly, it's something I've been against for a long time, starting with college. Public funded scholarships should NOT go to international students (Yes, I realize that Iona where Korir went is private).

If Americans want those scholarships, then they should do the hard work and studying required to earn them...but they don't.

"American work ethic" is such sham. We love to talk about how hard we work when in reality we are lazy, entitled, and outworked by folks from other countries. Props to them. They deserve to be rewarded and get the chance to better this country.

Hmm,

Brojos being all out supportive of Nike....

Scamming traitors,

They are now NOP lovers...

(After Nike Corporate sent them a letter...)

Is being Kenyan an Army WCAP wrote:

And your point is?

Or maybe just Donald Browne requires all accepted applicants to be Kenyan for the T&F team?

We are discussing T&F so Boxing, Rugby, Shooting .... are not relevant topics

Only that all 6 runners in the program are Kenyan plus a token walker

And you do realize that hasn't always been the case? WCAP has been around for a long time. It has obviously had trouble recruiting athletes.

Look at the standards:

How many 13:33/28:15/2:15 types are jumping at the chance to join the Army? How many sprinters and throwers?

The critics need to stop being so obtuse ($1 to anyone who gets the reference).

I'm sure MAJ Browne's door is open to anyone who meets the standards. Obviously "natural born" Americans haven't been lining up around the block. That may chance now.

Alan

Hahahaha this dude probably didn't finish high school.

I'm going to tell it like it is, and this has nothing to do with xenophobia or racism. This is the full truth. They are only in it for the money. They don't give two seashells about "the American dream"-- it's a facade. They want to race on the American circuit, make way more money they they otherwise would as a C class Kenyan, and send the money back home to their families.

They will join the Army, marry an American (and possibly divorce soon after), continue to take minimal college courses to remain in the country, overstay their Vida, claim "asylum", etc.. Whatever it takes to be able to stay in America and continue to make much more money than what they'd make in Kenya, Ethiopia, etc.. These are not well intentioned Kenyans living the "American dream".

This is why so many are opposed to what's happening. It's all so fake, and we're seeing through the rose colored glasses.

These guys aren't scrubs. Both are products of the NCAA.

Lenny Korir won two NCAA titles, beating Chelanga and Sambu, no Americans in sight (I think this was the year Chris Derrick was banged up.) I think both titles were NCAA meet records at the time. He ran 13:19/27:29 in college. He won the NYC Half last year outkicking 26:54 man Stephen Sambu.

Shadrack Kipchirchir ran 27:36 in college and finished a close 2nd to Cheserek that year, and showing a kick that nearly responded to Cheserek's.

They are good. They both have college degrees already. The WCAP program is also giving these guys better life and career skills.

Also, no shit they are looking out for their best interests and taking advantage of their opportunities. I am. You are. That's the epitome of the American Dream. You don't need to grandstand about the American Dream if you're just trying to eke out a living. Work your ass off, make a living off your talents...Self interest is a powerful motivator. What's wrong with looking out for #1? That's capitalism. Doesn't matter their intentions, though I doubt you've spoken a word to either of them to determine how well-intentioned they are.

fogremover wrote:

1. They don't look American.

2. They speak Kenyan, not English.

1. They learn English in Kenya from a young age.

2. There is no language called "Kenyan"

3. Those guys are no Americans, and they are much greater Americans than you will ever be.

4. God bless America--the land that welcomes hard working people with heart and strength.

ValsFrisse wrote:

fogremover wrote:

1. They don't look American.

2. They speak Kenyan, not English.

1. They learn English in Kenya from a young age.

2. There is no language called "Kenyan"

3. Those guys are no Americans, and they are much greater Americans than you will ever be.

4. God bless America--the land that welcomes hard working people with heart and strength.

I meant to say those guys are NOW Americans.

Then you should be happy to tell more than 100 Kenya deployed through MAVNI program and other internationals they are only in for the money.

"They are only in it for the money. They don't give two seashells about "the American dream":

Make up your mind dude!

Good post! I'm now less skeptical to these two individuals. But can you tell us how long they've been here?

Illinoisphotographer wrote:

where was he born? wrote:

Some of us like to see athletes who grew up in America, e.g. are products of domestic programs compete for us internationally.

Nailed it. It's hard to stand behind a group of Africans who were recruited (paid) to go to college here and run and without that, they wouldn't be here.

Frankly, it's something I've been against for a long time, starting with college. Public funded scholarships should NOT go to international students (Yes, I realize that Iona where Korir went is private).

If they came here as children, grew up here, went to high school here, etc I could care less. I just think it's a loophole in the system against true born Americans.

This 2 guys on the olympic 10k team are also AMERICAN SOLDIERS. They can deploy to any war zone around the world. You are going to tell me they are less American than who? You? If you are so pro-American, when have you been so readily to die for the this great nation?

LOL, so being pro-American means sticking your nose and money in other countries problems rather than fixing and supporting your own? Why must you be a soldier to love your country? My love for my country is greater than my love for oil.

These guys will never see a battlefield. Yeah, they are taking a chance at being deployed but I'd be surprised if they would still be in the army if there was no WCAP.

Isn't there a guy who has been in the air force or something for like 10 years and lost Peachtree at the line last year? Those are the guys that impress me. Soliders first, then runners.

You know nothing about the global economy. Pro-American means a lot of things. So you are against oil? Ok? Don't take any more hot showers. Stop driving. Don't fly anywhere. Stop using your cell phone. Stop using a computer. Hunt your own food.

I don't care that native Kenyans are running for the US Army. But I'm not a fan of people who were born outside of the US being US olympians. Doesn't matter if they're from Africa or Asia or Europe, etc... If nationalism has no place in the olympics, then their shouldn't be national teams.

However, since there were no American-born athletes that were close to the Kenyans in the race I don't care too much in this particular instance.

BTW, all of the Kenyans I have met during collegiate racing and post-collegiate road racing have been great guys. You message board heros who like to make this debate about racism are being silly. Most or all of us respect Kenyans and immigrants from anywhere else. We'd just prefer the US Olympic team be composed of US-born athletes, including those whose parents are immigrants.

realist. wrote:

I don't care that native Kenyans are running for the US Army. But I'm not a fan of people who were born outside of the US being US olympians. Doesn't matter if they're from Africa or Asia or Europe, etc... If nationalism has no place in the olympics, then their shouldn't be national teams.

However, since there were no American-born athletes that were close to the Kenyans in the race I don't care too much in this particular instance.

BTW, all of the Kenyans I have met during collegiate racing and post-collegiate road racing have been great guys. You message board heros who like to make this debate about racism are being silly. Most or all of us respect Kenyans and immigrants from anywhere else. We'd just prefer the US Olympic team be composed of US-born athletes, including those whose parents are immigrants.

You are an idiot. A complete idiot.