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Snarky Remarks About Qatar's Adopted Athletes
While everyone often makes snarky remarks about their Qatar's adopted Olympic Athletes, I thought it was interesting that the flag bearer for the American team who just walked out in Beijing was Sudanese (originally, as we say in this part of the world).
Just saying....
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vignale said
Qatari, there are more ...Qatari, there are more examples as well, I read that the Flag bearer for Norway is a Nigerian born woman and they got several other Africans in their team - I guess it is the same for a few other countries as well. To make remarks of Qatar and their athletes just show how ignorant people are.
Vegas said
USA is a melting pot we have people from all over the world...:) ...You can't teach experience
jassKat said
Well most American athletes ...Well most American athletes are naturalized citizens!
Qatar has a small population, it should be expected that only a small percent would have the skill level and drive to become a top athlete. What is wrong with adopting other athletes to fill in the holes?
tra la la
goodlookin said
hmmmm...yes i see, so your ...hmmmm...yes i see, so your comparing a young Sudanese refugee who grew up in the USA since he was a kid to how Qatar bought athletes from other countries. Can you spot the difference?
janeyjaney said
hmm.. Considering that they ...hmm.. Considering that they have lived in that country for a long time. I agree that there is tad bit difference.. Buying athletes to carry the country's name..-------------------------------------------------
╬ We are the renegades of funk! ╬
Vegas said
Well the guy leading the Chinese plays for US basketball team... ...You can't teach experience
heero_yuy2 said
I wonder about the Philippines ......if we're going to see a causcasian amongst their roster of athletes for the Olympics...
"Everything in this book may be wrong." Illusions: The Adventures of The Reluctant Messiah by Richard Bach
Vegas said
Heero...Just for the winter bobsled team...Prob a Canadian... ...You can't teach experience
Lisa1004 said
Lopez Lomong ...This young man is one of the Sudanese Lost Boys. Here is his home page if anyone would like to read about his story.
http://lopezlomong.o...
If I am not mistaken there is an American female basketball player playing on the Russian team. She is not Russian in the least. The American team showed no interest and the Russians did. This was going to be her last chance to compete in the Olympics - she took it. Who could blame her?
There is so much money involved after winning an Olympic medal. An athlete will play for whoever he/she can. The competition is so great and these people train for so long...they will take whatever opportunity they get. I don't blame them.
caliafrica said
Lisa1004 you are right, he's form the lost boys of Sudan ...The guy is sudanese and he just became a US citizen 13 months ago according to CNN. Hmmmmm sounds like a coincidence to me........lol
Lisa1004 said
caliaafrica ...LOL, that just "may" be a huge conincidence However, in this case I don't care what country this young man competes for....I was brought to tears by his story. I just admire all of the athletes in the Olympics.
nadt said
I agree Lisa, his story was ...I agree Lisa, his story was very sad...
Eco-savvy said
Congratulations to 204 national delegation ...One dream one race.
never_again said
there is a difference ...just an other view point
other countries like US norway and so on, nationalize everyone who stays and works in the country for sometime and has a certain skill set
Qatar on the other hand doesn't have clear requirements if any to nationalize ppl based on their skill set or period of stay
for that reason I think ppl give such remarks
nadt said
I agree never_again, to ...I agree never_again, to represent a country in sports or anything else for that matter, you have to be a permanent citzen of that country..
Hukk said
In the US, almost everyone's ...In the US, almost everyone's ancestors were from somewhere else, so someone who recently naturalized from Sudan is no less American than someone who's a white, mid-westerner. In fact, the person who naturalized actually made the decision to become a citizen and went through a lot of hassle to do it, and is probably prouder of it.
In addition, the US does not have to look to other countries to recruit athletes. In fact talented athletes often represent a country that they have dual-citizenship with so that they have a chance of actually going to the games because they would not make it onto the US team.
caliafrica said
Hukk, the US recruits athletes all the time ...They recruit athletes all the time but it is not really publicized. Anyways the US can expedite citizen applications in a case where they have something to gain, ie, the olympics. I am not saying this is what they did in this situation but it is possible for citizen applications to be expedited.
hashin said
the difference Qatari is... ...that the US does not American nationality selectively to athletes alone...
They give nationality to several hundred thousands... and along with that to a few athletes as well...
But here in Qatar, not only do they give it only to athletes with the eplicit intention of winning medals in international events, the nationality provided is a mere farce with several limitations.
In fact some athletes even have their nationality taken back if they are not performing well...
Architect.J said
Well heres an example: There ...Well heres an example:
There was this kid, a junior of mine here at one of the indian schools. We were both Indians and were both athletes. Now this kid was tremendously talented. I left doha in 2001 and returned in 2006, and voila! hes running for qatar in the asian games! They actually gave him a qatari citizenship and a brand new name.
The difference between other countries and Qatar is that there is no other way an expat can get the nationality unless the authorities feel the need for him in sports. THAT is the difference.
For those who still think criticizing Qatar on this is unfair, could you please consider my application: I've been in qatar for nearly 20 years (since i was 8), still young, good at my profession, can contribute to the growth of the country, know Arabic, but not really an olympic level athlete.... :P Waddya say? Do i stand a chance?
---Life is Fragile, Handle With Prayer---
dragonfly212 said
you right hashin, i hv an ...you right hashin, i hv an athelete friend from belarus performing for qatar. he is under pressure all the time. poor him.
Everybody is right everybody is wrong, it depend where you stand
kenyaqueen said
I simply find british and ...I simply find british and americans complain too much. So what if there is a sudanese or other races on the national team of your country. FYI europe and america happened to be build with the hands of these people. Those people worked hard to get to where they are and a few of you are worried that america a melting pot for them. if they come from other countries less fortunate than yours then of course it is. But let me tell you a lot of these people would return to their countries if they could live and provide a better life for their families. Unfortunately some of them may not have the option to go back and do that. And guess why, because the greedy american and european people are afraid that these people will be the majority and gain power. You don't let them get ahead. They are stuck in jobs that are really pointless because the money they make is only enough to take care of themselves. Any way get over yourselves! europe and america are countries of many races and belong to all not just you because you were born there. And FYI AFRICA ! YOU ALL COME FROM AFRICA EVEN THE EUROPEANS AND THE AMERICANS FOLLOW YOUR ROOTS!
Then you can complain about your sudanese brother being on your oop! I mean our national team.
I am always excited to go to sleep! In anticipation of the new experience I will find awaiting me.
MR PAUL said
Chip on yer shoulder kenyaqueen ?? ...Seems to me, yer another "anti west" person, as if this site doesnt have enough already.
I dont see any Brits complaining in this thread.
NIL ILLEGITIMI CARBORUNDUM
kenyaqueen said
and here you are complaining! you just proved my point. ...that it seems like I am "anti west"
Well! no I am not. I am pointing out that the europeans and americans complain a lot. If I don't see it in this tread, trust me its in another tread. I am canadian born, 4th generation. so I share some, if not most of the western values. I just don't share complaining about what race should be representing our countries. Again most western countries were built by the hands of immigrants. Including yours and mine.
I am always excited to go to sleep! In anticipation of the new experience I will find awaiting me.
MR PAUL said
Im not complaining. I dont give a rats a$$ if all the Brit team ...is foreign .
Theres much more important things in life than this....
NIL ILLEGITIMI CARBORUNDUM
labda06 said
A number of athletes in ...A number of athletes in Qatar are Kenyan and its kind of a big joke back home "Dont go there and became Qatari..." A lot of people do not understand how they can renounce their citizenship just for a buck.
"Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek." Barack Obama
notfromhere said
Qatar's "adopted" athletes ...Lopez Lomong was kidnapped at age 6, lived in a refugee camp for years, and at the age of 16 was fortunate enough to relocate to the US and be taken in by an American family. He attended high school and college in the US and trained for the Olympics in the US.
You can't even begin to compare him with the athletes who are purchased by Qatar and other wealthy nations.
Sorry, but he's living the American Dream, even though there are many of you who don't believe such a thing exists.
Kenyaqueen, I absolutely agree with you that America is a melting pot and was built with the hands of people from all over the world. But I don't know any Americans who are complaining about this. I think most of us are proud of this. And btw, as you said, just about everyone is an immigrant from somewhere, so it's not fair to say that all the immigrants are stuck in menial jobs. There are MANY who have moved forward and succeeded beyond their wildest dreams.
notfromhere said
Labda, a buck? I think it's ...Labda, a buck? I think it's many many bucks! lol
How are you?
labda06 said
Hahaha notfromhere, I wish ...Hahaha notfromhere, I wish they'd swing a couple my way. Im good darlin', are you enjoying yourself?
"Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek." Barack Obama
kenyaqueen said
/-a-t-/not from here, Thanks ...Thank you for making that clear to me! Your right it is not right to lump every immigrant into the same melting pot? lol.
I should have should have said some and new immigrants. Listen I do understand that being new to a country you gotta "tow the line" like everyone else. But for the few immigrants that I see make it here in canada, trust me far more are not making it. my perspective only comes from the fact that I work with immigrants trying to help them get on their career paths.
/-a-t-/labda
I appreciate your comment and it seems that this is true of some people. But, even those who are selling their citizenship for a buck have to support their families in their own countries. One of the reason that the millions and millions of people that have immigrated to the USA and Europe and became "citizens" is to provide food, shelter for their families back home, with that being said, do you think these people sold their citizenship for a "BUCK"
I am always excited to go to sleep! In anticipation of the new experience I will find awaiting me.
notfromhere said
Ohhhhh labda.... "enjoying" ...Ohhhhh labda....
"enjoying" would be an understatement!!!! LOL!!!!!
labda06 said
kenyaqueen it goes without ...kenyaqueen it goes without saying these people do it for a better life. For themselves and their families. It doesn't change people's perceptions back home though does it?
"Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek." Barack Obama
labda06 said
notfromhere, rub it in why ...notfromhere, rub it in why dont ya. :P Glad to hear, soak it up!!
"Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek." Barack Obama
tallg said
At the end of the day, ...At the end of the day, whether you agree with what they're doing or not, Qatar aren't breaking any rules.
They may be bending them to the absolute limit and raising more than a few eyebrows around the sporting world, but until the IOC says they've gone too far they'll continue doing it, as they see it as the quickest way to gain sporting recognition and inspire other athletes in Qatar.
RED_POPE said
Qatari, is about the magic gold medallion ...In keeping your thread with the reality of adopted Olympians, that will be nothing new, that alot of nations are open for fresh candidates and thousand of articles, have being wrote about it. You could research it on the net.
Basically, it boils down to the politics of how many olympic medals each nation could bag in every Olympiad. The more they win, the more prestigious that nation stands out.
The question I meant to ask you, about the adopted Qatar Olympians.
Not taking any bias sided opinion and regardless of the ranking status as Olympians world wide:
1-What are the benefits those adopted Olympians are receiving from the Government of Qatar?
2-Are they entitled to same benefits, like a regular citizen of Qatar, If they are naturalized ?
Respectfully
Red Pope
PS
I remember last year, one of your adopted Olympian, I believe a Marathon runner, he went to Israel to participate in a marathon, on his return back to Doha, he was practically arrested and dispose of his Qatar citizenship and passport for running in Israel. i don't know what happen after that.
stealth said
red i think it was a ...red i think it was a bahraini not qatari
Oryx said
Darfuri athletes in China ...The Sudani flag bearer is a political statement...
he as are other Darfuri athletes are trying to bring global attention to China's economic involvement with the Sudanese government and its persecution of Darfur...
Darfuris have not all been given visas for China...and this was the only way this athlete could get to the games...
if you want to read more about lost boys...
What is the What...excellent book by David Egger...i have it
amnesia said
most countries naturalize ...most countries naturalize athletes. ANyone who wants to complain is just letting out hot air.
If the person was ALLOWED to be nationalized and played, go complain to the sporting or Olympic committee who made the rules and allowed it to happen.
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