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Are they traitors? Americans representing Mexico in the Olympics.?
http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-olymex29-2008j...
From the Los Angeles Times
They're American, except in the Olympics
U.S. athletes who choose to compete for Mexico continue a trend that not everyone likes.
By Kevin Baxter
Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
June 29, 2008
Giovanni Lanaro was born in Los Angeles, grew up in La Puente, attended Cal State Fullerton, and coaches and trains at Mt. San Antonio College. Yet, when the torch is lighted during opening ceremonies this summer at the Beijing Olympics, the world's sixth-ranked pole vaulter will be with Mexico, not the United States.
"I will always compete for Mexico," said Lanaro, whose mother was born there. "I will never compete for any other country."
He is hardly alone in choosing to compete for the land of his heritage over the place of his birth -- a growing practice in recent years as the Mexican American pop
Five of the nine boxers on Mexico's national team are from the U.S., as are a wrestler, a women's basketball player and two members of last summer's Pan American Games water polo team.
"My whole family's proud. What's wrong with being proud about competing for Mexico?" said Lanaro, who has cleared 19 feet this year and is Mexico's best hope for a track and field medal in Beijing. "I don't see anything wrong with it."
Others are critical, however, with those in the U.S. arguing that American athletes who compete for Mexico are turning their back on the country that trained them in exchange for an easier path to the Olympics. And in Mexico, some coaches and athletes have grown tired of "foreigners" taking opportunities away from locals.
But it is legal. In fact, top athletes crossing borders to enhance their Olympic prospects are part of a well-established pattern that involves many nations and events. Four years ago at Athens, Americans of Greek descent took the field for the host nation's baseball team, a Chinese-born table tennis player competed for the United States and a Jamaican woman sprinted for Slovenia."Freedom of choice is one of the values our country stands for," said Darryl Seibel, chief communications officer of the U.S. Olympic Committee. "And we're not going to stand in the way of someone who wants to compete for another country." The U.S. has also benefited from foreign-born athletes changing allegiances: 1,500-meter runner Bernard Lagat and marathoner Khalid Khannouchi were born in Africa, yet now hold U.S. records. And national gymnastics champions Nastia Liukin and Alexander Artemev are from the former Soviet Union.
Jim,
He was born in America......... this is the problem with today’s immigrants illegal (aliens) and legal. I know you partially agree with me. Aliens and legal immigrants do not simulate this day and age.
Nani Girl , I think that is wrong too. I think that you should represent the country that you are a citizen of. If I lived in Mexico and was a Mexican citizen and got bumped because of this guy I would be pissed!!!
16 Answers
- Anonymous1 decade agoFavorite Answer
Yes,if you're an American,your loyalty should be to America.
If it isn't,kindly see yourself out of my country.
- Scott TLv 41 decade ago
The problem here seems to be with the Olympic Committee. Of course people are going to do whatever they can to compete in the Olympics. It's up to the Committee to set the rules. It should be a rule that you can only compete for the country in which you are a citizen. If it's not against the rules, then people can complain about it but not a lot a can be done.
This always seemed illogical to me about sports fans who root for a particular team member when that team member has no loyalty at all to the City they play for, but will go wherever the money is.
- ?Lv 71 decade ago
you obviously cannot make a difference between Patriotism and Olympics games......?
this practice does not just happen in Mexico,
it happens all over the WORLD and in all countries,yes, even in the US,
and athletes may go # PLAY # ......anywhere they can, if they qualify,
representing and traitor are 2 very different words,
IT IS A GAME .......
- 1 decade ago
No he isn't. Your "typical immigrant" comment is whats typical. Asking this about a Mexican playing on Mexican team but you mention nothing about the US citizen playing on a Russian team. Typical immigrant hatred.
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- 1 decade ago
You have to be a citizen of the country you want to compete for. If they are a citizen of Mexico, and want to "represent" them, its totally fine. Its called freedom, honey. Its a little things we have in America!
- Anonymous1 decade ago
Either they are mexican citizens or American citizens in the Olympics, either, or!!!!!! In the Olympics it has to be either , or!!!No one t hat is not a natural born citizen should not be eligible for the Olympics anyway!!!
- 1 decade ago
This just shows how your heritage can be a stronger than the love for the place you were born. Some of these athletes do this so they can make the team more easily. But when it comes down to it who cares. It is within the rules so who cares. If someone cares more for their heritage more than their birth country, why would you worry about it. I don't understand why people are giving me thumbs down isn't it within their rights. I thought we were a country that supported individual rights. Some of these people also have dual citizenship, which makes the eligible for both countries.
- Anonymous1 decade ago
Athletes want to be in the Olympics. If it is easier to qualify to represent one country than another they do that. How is that any different than a Puerto Rican on the Minn. Twins or a Canadian for the Detroit Red Wings. They follow the money. If you all thought the Olympics were about amateur sports you are living in a dream world.
- Anonymous1 decade ago
A Mexican competing for Mexico, not a surprise really
- TCSOLv 51 decade ago
A traitor would tend to be someone that fights against one's own country in a matter or war, national security, etc. If a US citizen chooses to represent Mexico or any other country, let him go for it. Who cares.
The article made reference to the Mexican-American population we have here. This is a reality, and it will continue to be a reality, as will situations like this.
- Anonymous1 decade ago
Ruins the whole concept doesn't it? Why not just have company teams compete?
