Countries becoming like clubs for track & field athletes.

devans

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I wonder what is the point any more in international competitions. Athletes seem to be able to just go and represent any country they feel like nowadays.
The better the athlete the more choice they will have.
This has really taken off in the UK in the last 3 or 4 years, so much so that people are starting to notice, as in this article…

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/ar...s-If-best-best-whats-point-Martin-Samuel.html

“If even international sporting bodies refuse to embrace the principle that nationality matters, that events should compose the best of yours against the best of theirs, then what is the purpose?
“International competition is perceived to have significance, to make a statement about the sporting strength of a people. Yet if Yamile Aldama can win medals for three nations — country of birth (Cuba), country of convenience (Sudan), and country of residency (Great Britain) — then why bother waving flags? Admire the athlete, but don’t claim the reflected glory. The country is a vessel, no more.â€￾
 
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greyghost

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truth

very very true , it should not be accepted by the iaaf . but it would be interesting for a white american like shane crawford { ex purdue } to declare for the united kingdom { obviously with a name like crawford} i think until a person probably white from the USA decides to declare !! but for non financial reasons . its surprising more american whites dont declare for european countries , that would be interesting and make people sit up and think !!
 

greyghost

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the united kingdom has become a whore!!! for the athletics journey man - woman. it doesnt bode well for real british athletes who observe this . the brits have a vain dutchman at the helm who is not interested in the long term , only interested in his own "reflection" , being able to represent ones country should mean something , but if one is disaffected does it really make any difference as long as one is good enough , believe me if the likes of lemaitre decided to declare for germany there would be an uproar , dont forget the circus around ramil guliyev. different moral code for black and white athletes !!!
 

greyghost

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for a while in the mid noughties , it was thought probable morne nagel may declare for holland , as the SA federation was an incoherent shambles. pity he didnt he would have achieved more !!!!!??? and several eastern european athletes wanted to declare for germany , didnt happen . if it was french soccer it would have happened !!!!
 
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