Just a guy observing, objectively wrote:
LateRunnerPhil wrote:
They are American by definition of naturalization. They were born, grew up, and spent their first 18-21 (maybe more, if actual age is a bit higher) years in Kenya, coincidentally a country famous for success in long-distance racing.
Can you say for sure that
- Kenyan and American-born people are born with exactly the same genetics, and their parents are exactly the same physically active
- Nutrition is the same
- Altitude in the US is the same as in Kenya
- The lifestyle of young kids in terms of how active they are, how they commute to school etc is exactly the same or at least similar
- The quality of living and drive to succeed in something that could lead to success or a better life (e.g. running) is the same for kids born in the US and in Kenya
Objectively, you got a point as in they are able to start for the US, but it doesn't mean that they don't have some inherent advantages, either genetically, or due to a more active, or healthier period when growing up. They might have also done considerably more mileage commuting to school in their young years than runners born in the US.
No, but to avoid the inevitable "I don't care, won't compete for top 3" comments that are plaguing threads where Tinman Elite are competing in pro races. People are either expecting them to be a significant factor in the race/for the medals, or say that they are not very interested in their performances. It is clear that this type of TME lineup (excluding their 2 strongest runners, Parsons and Hunter) won't get top 3 in such a high caliber race, so I was just making sure people give them they attention they deserve despite of that.
No, of course they didn't grow up with the same circumstances. I don't know what point you're trying to make. Like hey, that's life. Sometimes you're given an advantage, and sometimes you're at a disadvantage. I'm a believer that East Africans DO have an advantage due to their environment growing up, but does that mean everyone else should just give up and make excuses?
It didn't stop Julien Wanders or the Robertsons from moving to Iten to try to level the playing field. It seems like if the TME guys really wanted to be the best, they would consider doing the same. Sometimes, you only want something to a certain extent.
And what attention do they deserve exactly? Most of them are just middle of the pack guys (and hey, I'm right there with them) but I don't think I deserve any recognition for having not done anything at an elite level.
I always thought you were Parsons on here trying to drum up talk about TME, but with your entitled attitude, it seems more likely that you're some 18-22 year old who Parsons paid off to start threads and pump things up. One in the same, I guess.
Living in poverty is a advantage? Oh ok.