Athletics: Bernard Lagat Becomes US Citizen

[cnick]

http://www.runnersweb.com/running/rw_news_frameset.html?http://www.runnersweb.com/running/news/rw_news_20050413_RRW_Lagat.html

Athletics: Bernard Lagat Becomes US Citizen

From David Monti

(c) 2004 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved RaceResultsWeekly.com

By Bob Ramsak

Bernard Lagat, a two-time Olympic medallist for Kenya in the 1500 meters, has become a United States citizen, the runner announced today.

"I thought long and hard before changing my nationality but, at the age of 30, I have to look to my future, after my running career has come to an end," Lagat said in a press statement issued from his home in Tucson, Arizona. The change became effective on 29-March.

In addition to his two Olympic medals --bronze in 2000 and silver in 2004-- Lagat is the second fastest man ever over 1500 meters, with a personal best of 3:26.34 set in 2001. In 2004, we won the world indoor title in the 3000 meters.

"I hope to continue running at the very highest level until at least the 2008 Olympics. In the short term, I realise that changing my nationality makes me ineligible to compete at the 2005 World Championships but I look forward to trying to run as fast as possible in other meetings this summer, with the aim of inspiring and uplifting Kenyan and American athletics fans alike."

"The decision to change my nationality was not one I took lightly as I am very proud of my Kenyan heritage," Lagat said. "It was a great honor to see the Kenyan flag flown, as well as sometimes the Kenyan national anthem played, in recognition of my efforts at many prestigious events and those memories will never fade." Lagat added that since most of his family still reside in Kenya, he will continue to maintain strong links with the country.

"I have lived in the United States since 1996, I graduated from Washington State University and the United States has been my permanent home for almost a decade, and it is where I envisage living in the years to come. In future years, it is my intention to attempt to qualify for US athletics teams and to try to give something back to my new country."

Lagat last competed for his native Kenya on 24-August 2004; should the KAAA, Kenya's national athletics federation agree to an early release, he would be eligible to compete internationally for the United States as early as 25-August of this year. Should he be forced to wait the full three years, he would be eligible to represent the United States on 25-August-2007, one day after the 2007 IAAF World Championships begin.

Lagat will make his first appearance as a U.S. citizen at this weekend's Mt. SAC Relays in Walnut, Calif., where he will contest the 5000 meters.

[gesser]

Alan Webb better be ready to run in Sacramento in 2008.

[Kniteryder]

Alan Webb better be ready to run in Sacramento in 2008.


LOL...shoot not just Alan Webb, but the US born runners as that leaves only 1 more spot...! (If those to are garaunteed at making the team in the first place, but 1 never knows what can happen by/in '08)

Wow, this also makes the 1500m a wide open event this summer...!!

[SteveIsham]

I think it is great that Bernard has join the red,white, and blue. However, think about this - in Sacramento and Beijing in 2008 Bernard will be 33 years old. Alan will be 25. But hey, I'll take a 33 year old Bernard anyday...

[jrun]

Classy guy. Wish him well as an American.

He'll raise the bar of U.S. 1500/miling for the next 4 or so years to come.

[Filipe]

I haven't seen it here, but over on letsrun, I'm kind of sensing a double standard. Meb and Abdi aren't 'real' Americans, but we're ready to accept Bernard as our own? :confused:

[nordicrunner]

I think it is great that Bernard has join the red,white, and blue. However, think about this - in Sacramento and Beijing in 2008 Bernard will be 33 years old. Alan will be 25. But hey, I'll take a 33 year old Bernard anyday...

yeah, look at what laban rotich is going in his later 30s, its amazing.

[jrun]

I haven't seen it here, but over on letsrun, I'm kind of sensing a double standard. Meb and Abdi aren't 'real' Americans, but we're ready to accept Bernard as our own? :confused:

They're all real Americans just as Peter Jennings is one. If someone wants to change the standard of what constitutes a citizen, fine. But every other sane person doesn't have to agree.

[cnick]

I'm sure somebody on here will complain about it. Give them time. I've got no problem with him running in the USA jersey as long as he does what everyone else has to do to earn it. Only difference between him and Meb, Abdi, et al is that he grew up in Africa and waited much longer to make the change. I highly doubt he got any extra money to switch affiliations since it's unlikely that the Kenyan Athletics Org. will release him to compete for us till 2008.

And who's ever considered Peter Jennings an American? He just happens to have a job here like thousands of other foreigners.

[gesser]

I don't see the big deal. I look at it this way:

He's 30.

He went to Washington State...so at the age of 18?

He's spent 12/30 years as an "American". Throw out the first 5 years of his life (since I doubt he remembers much), and he's spent 12/25 which is nearly half of his life.


*Maybe an issue is with his earnings too. I know a lot of Dominican baseball players get killed with taxes and that's why many have applied and have been naturalized (is that the term?) for US citizenship (ie Manny Ramirez last year).

[jrun]

cnick sez:
And who's ever considered Peter Jennings an American?

-----

The U.S. government:

http://www.usatoday.com/life/2003-07-08-jennings_x.htm

[Mrr82]

I dont' really have a big problem with them competing for the US....i do kinda have a problem with them destroying out records and taking spots for big competitions but for a particular reason. If Lagat comes here and runs 326/343, destroying our records, like when KK ran 205 for US right after coming over....it's just not good for our sport in my opinion.

Sure Guys should be aiming to be the best everywhere not just here....but at least before a guy like alan webb has a target like 329/347 to aim for...something he can see in the near future....now all of a suddent it could be so far out there. I thikn it'll just be a little discouraging for our athletes. I'm not saying it's wrong to let them run for us, i'm saying it won't be the best thing for our athletes.

It won't motivate them to run harder....it'll motivate them to quit the sport earlier. this is not a positive thing for the rest of our distance runners to feel like their chances are dim. This is a big reason of what caused the downturn in the 80's...the africans taking over on the world scene....people got discourgaged and built up this like mythological monster in them. Now they are coming to compete for us and i think it could have a similar effect.

[KevinM]

Might want to re-think all of those "they" and "us" references. If you are referring to American citizens, Lagat is one of "us".

[Biscuit_AQ]

Just like I've said about Shaheen and Kipketer and KK, more power to him. Its his life, and he can do what he wants. He has already covered himself with glory in the kenyan colors, so I don't feel like he owes them much. I'd tend to think Webb will relish the chance to run against Lagat, and the best runners will rise to the challenge of his presence, rather than get discouraged.

I hope he helps all of US distance running raise it's game.

[tach44444]

lagat will start being more of a 5k runner before 08 beijing

[Mrr82]

Might want to re-think all of those "they" and "us" references. If you are referring to American citizens, Lagat is one of "us".


Don't want to rethink it....the guy just became a US citizen and surehe's PART of us....but us as a whole still fits what i said. People know what i meant, and it's alot harder to make my point without them.

[jersey_guy]

If Lagat comes here and runs 326/343, destroying our records, like when KK ran 205 for US right after coming over....it's just not good for our sport in my opinion.

Sure Guys should be aiming to be the best everywhere not just here....but at least before a guy like alan webb has a target like 329/347 to aim for...something he can see in the near future....now all of a suddent it could be so far out there. I thikn it'll just be a little discouraging for our athletes. I'm not saying it's wrong to let them run for us, i'm saying it won't be the best thing for our athletes.


Yea let's not force our runners to run too fast. After all, if you suck, the best way to improve your self esteem is to lower the standards. And we all know that getting the American record is the most important thing in the world.

[one_more_mile]

That's great. I hope he runs very well. A new mile w.r. would be pretty sweet.

[Biscuit_AQ]

exactly. maybe having Lagat here will get some people's heads out of the sand and get them to stop shooting for international mediocrity.

[gesser]

I dont' really have a big problem with them competing for the US....i do kinda have a problem with them destroying out records and taking spots for big competitions but for a particular reason. If Lagat comes here and runs 326/343, destroying our records, like when KK ran 205 for US right after coming over....it's just not good for our sport in my opinion.


mrr82,
This is America. The Melting Pot. Ellis Island. Land of the free. Out of many, one. With liberty and justice for all.

If you are granted citizenship I consider you an American...not a "them".

[cnick]

cnick sez:
And who's ever considered Peter Jennings an American?

-----

The U.S. government:

http://www.usatoday.com/life/2003-07-08-jennings_x.htm

I guess that shows how much I care about Peter Jennings citizenship.

[Mrr82]

mrr82,
This is America. The Melting Pot. Ellis Island. Land of the free. Out of many, one. With liberty and justice for all.

If you are granted citizenship I consider you an American...not a "them".

Actually they are a them...them as in people who were part of another country and became a US citizen. That's a fact whether you like that they are competing for the US. Regardless of what nationality they switched from whether it be Kenyan or British.

Not to mention you people are being retarded, the words i used to distinquish between who i was talking about was just that. Words.

[Mrr82]

Yea let's not force our runners to run too fast. After all, if you suck, the best way to improve your self esteem is to lower the standards. And we all know that getting the American record is the most important thing in the world.

That was not what i said or even implied......you however seeing as you responded to my post...must think it would be better for our runners to just quit, then to keep trying...because that's what you just said. Cause that was what my point was. That guys will be less likely to try and be great...even if great is mediocracy on the world stage....it's acutally all some people are capable of. People will give up if there's already the worlds best running for us and he's from Kenya. That will discourage runners, not encourage them.

In your pretend make believe world you're living in your response would actually make sense, it IDEALLY would make them want to run faster and that would be great to see....but i guarantee you if the worlds top 3 milers all became american, half of the us milers would just quit, maybe more, they would fail to see a point in trying.

In the next few years we might as well change the distance part of the world championships/Olympics to Kenya vs Ethiopia VS El G....because soon there will be Kenyans competing for every country. It will NOT be a good thing for the sport whether you feel they should be allowed to or not. IT WILL discourage other athletes when all of a sudden they are finishing 40th at worlds because every Kenyan in the world is allowed to compete because they are running for another country. But go ahead and respond with your, we shuold just aim to suck response....because it's stupid....i'm just speakign the facts, not the way it should be.

[gesser]

Actually they are a them...them as in people who were part of another country and became a US citizen. That's a fact whether you like that they are competing for the US. Regardless of what nationality they switched from whether it be Kenyan or British.

Not to mention you people are being retarded, the words i used to distinquish between who i was talking about was just that. Words.


:confused:

[Mrr82]

:confused:

I was using words like they and us to differentiate who i was talking about, if i didn't use somethign to differientiate it would have gotten kinda confusing.

[SteveIsham]

Doesn't look like Bernard will be wearing the USA uniform at this year's World Championsships in Helsinki however. Unless there is something with this rule, like it doesn't go into effect for x number of months or whatever... How much do you want to bet this has something to do with the large number of new Quatari citizens running around the tracks and p!ssing off the Kenyan Olympic Committee?


IAAF Council Meeting – News Briefing, Day Two
http://iaaf.org/news/Kind=512/newsId=29094.html
"Council agreed that IAAF Rule 5.2 d, which relates to Changes of Nationality, will be changed so that the period of ineligibility of an athlete who had competed for one Member Federation and wanted to change to another, would only begin when the athlete received citizenship.

An athlete shall not represent his new Member in an International Competition under Rules 1.1 for a period of three years following the acquisition of new Citizenship. This period may be reduced to 12 months with the agreement, in writing, of the Members concerned.

Up until now, the period of ineligibility began from the last time an athlete competed for his or her original federation, regardless of when the athlete actually obtained new Citizenship."

[Kniteryder]

Lagat has said that in his statement, that he will not be running the WC's this summer because he has taken up US citizenship and will not be granted ties with the US until 3 yrs from now. So the next 2 WC's titles are up for grabs...!

[puttytim]

Lagat has said that in his statement, that he will not be running the WC's this summer because he has taken up US citizenship and will not be granted ties with the US until 3 yrs from now. So the next 2 WC's titles are up for grabs...!


actually, it didn't look like it had been determined yet. he could be in a uni as soon as this august.

welcome to the USA officially Bernard, i hope you have as much success as abdi and meb, who continue to make us proud!

[trojanrunna]

That was not what i said or even implied......you however seeing as you responded to my post...must think it would be better for our runners to just quit, then to keep trying...because that's what you just said. Cause that was what my point was. That guys will be less likely to try and be great...even if great is mediocracy on the world stage....it's acutally all some people are capable of. People will give up if there's already the worlds best running for us and he's from Kenya. That will discourage runners, not encourage them.

In your pretend make believe world you're living in your response would actually make sense, it IDEALLY would make them want to run faster and that would be great to see....but i guarantee you if the worlds top 3 milers all became american, half of the us milers would just quit, maybe more, they would fail to see a point in trying.

so you think that half of the best milers in the country would quit running? even after all that hard work that has made them some of the toughest competitors in the country. they're professional athletes in a sport that glorifies pain and psychological exhaustion, i think they'll live if the #3 berth to a WC or oly games just got much harder. and think about the long run, maybe seeing somebody wearing a USA singlet actually win an olympic or WC gold will motivate some of the next generation and popularize the sport.

[rysheridan]

I dont' really have a big problem with them competing for the US....i do kinda have a problem with them destroying out records and taking spots for big competitions but for a particular reason. If Lagat comes here and runs 326/343, destroying our records, like when KK ran 205 for US right after coming over....it's just not good for our sport in my opinion.

Sure Guys should be aiming to be the best everywhere not just here....but at least before a guy like alan webb has a target like 329/347 to aim for...something he can see in the near future....now all of a suddent it could be so far out there. I thikn it'll just be a little discouraging for our athletes. I'm not saying it's wrong to let them run for us, i'm saying it won't be the best thing for our athletes.

It won't motivate them to run harder....it'll motivate them to quit the sport earlier. this is not a positive thing for the rest of our distance runners to feel like their chances are dim. This is a big reason of what caused the downturn in the 80's...the africans taking over on the world scene....people got discourgaged and built up this like mythological monster in them. Now they are coming to compete for us and i think it could have a similar effect.


"Sorry Alan, you can't run 3:47 for the AR"
"Damn, I quit"

is that what you suppose would happen?

It's not BL's fault that the state of US-born miling was in the dumps for the past 20 years.

[Mrr82]

"Sorry Alan, you can't run 3:47 for the AR"
"Damn, I quit"

is that what you suppose would happen?

It's not BL's fault that the state of US-born miling was in the dumps for the past 20 years.


I don't expect alan to quit, but i could see alot of the almost there athletes quiting.....and just imagine if like i said the top 3 milers in the world decided to be US citizens.....how many guys minus a few like Alan Webb would stick around? How much money wuold be available for guys who wouldn't make our national team? It'll hurt our developement is what i'm saying...regardless of if you think they have a right to run for us. That will happen. And i appoligize for using "they" and "us". Just using them to make it obvious of whom i'm talking about. I'm still waiting for Boaz to become american.

[rysheridan]

I agree that this might scare some guys off, hurt our development, etc. but just the same this might be the challenge necessary to revitalize our sport, to raise the bar. Who says the guys that quit have to run track? Heck, Stember & Co. have degrees from Stanford, i'm sure they'll be ok :cool:

[ILRun1]

I don't expect alan to quit, but i could see alot of the almost there athletes quiting.....and just imagine if like i said the top 3 milers in the world decided to be US citizens.....how many guys minus a few like Alan Webb would stick around? How much money wuold be available for guys who wouldn't make our national team? It'll hurt our developement is what i'm saying...regardless of if you think they have a right to run for us. That will happen. And i appoligize for using "they" and "us". Just using them to make it obvious of whom i'm talking about. I'm still waiting for Boaz to become american.

So basically you are saying that by having one of the best athletes in the world become an American it is going to ruin the sport. Your points just dont make sense. First off, the top three milers in the world are not going to become citizens and keep all the young guys from making the world teams. That is not going to happen. Second, how many elite guys over the years have earned American citizenship? A handful. This is not a common thing. You just can't sign up for American citizenship and get it in a week. It is a long process, where many people are turned away. Every prevelant foreign born turned American citizen had been here for a while. Meb moved here before college. KK had been training here and was married to an American. Same thing now goes for Lagat. We are not going to get this influx of African talent moving over here and competing for us, this is not Quatar, where they buy their athletes. So American gets a few guys like KK, Abdi, Meb and Lagat as citizens and run very well both in country and out, this is not a bad thing. I guess it was awful that Meb made the Olympic team and earned the first marthon medal since Shorter. No, he inspired many talented athletes to get out the door, train hard and race harder.

Furthermore, if a guy quits just because Lagat is an American now, then they probably shouldn't have been in the sport at the elite level in the first place. You don't need a million dollar contract to live and train your hardest. So Lagat may earn some of the money that the second tier guys are getting...oh well. Work harder. Live in a trailer like Pre did. Get a job and run at the same time. Join the Hansons. Last I checked they have not been able to bring in the top American distance runners into their program, even though they want to. If a guy wants to be the best he can be he has to sacrifice, even if that means living at mommy and daddy's house for a few years while he gives it his all.

That is my two cents. Take it for what it is worth.

[runnerdude]

I think it is a good thing that guys like Lagat have become citizens. A lot of them like Abdi, Meb, and Lagat have lived here for a good part of their life, train here, and for the most part are Americans. He feels he has done what he can for Kenya. I don't think Athletics Kenya should complain about this. Don't force the three year ban. He's given them 2 olympic medals and x number of WC medals. And to what was said about people just quitting becuase of guys like Lagat becoming American Citizens that is stupid. It would make me want to compete harder to get to his level and it would give us some glory. So I think that we should look at this as something good for American distance running.

[Kalaby]

I dont' really have a big problem with them competing for the US....i do kinda have a problem with them destroying out records and taking spots for big competitions but for a particular reason. If Lagat comes here and runs 326/343, destroying our records, like when KK ran 205 for US right after coming over....it's just not good for our sport in my opinion.

Sure Guys should be aiming to be the best everywhere not just here....but at least before a guy like alan webb has a target like 329/347 to aim for...something he can see in the near future....now all of a suddent it could be so far out there. I thikn it'll just be a little discouraging for our athletes. I'm not saying it's wrong to let them run for us, i'm saying it won't be the best thing for our athletes.

It won't motivate them to run harder....it'll motivate them to quit the sport earlier. this is not a positive thing for the rest of our distance runners to feel like their chances are dim. This is a big reason of what caused the downturn in the 80's...the africans taking over on the world scene....people got discourgaged and built up this like mythological monster in them. Now they are coming to compete for us and i think it could have a similar effect.
Not looking to stir anything up at all, but if you want to be consistent with your line of thinking, then Webb needs to shoot for Spivey's 3:31.01 time because the AR is held by Sydney Maree...a guy who gained U.S. citizenship from his native South Africa.

[jrun]

Not looking to stir anything up at all, but if you want to be consistent with your line of thinking, then Webb needs to shoot for Spivey's 3:31.01 time because the AR is held by Sydney Maree...a guy who gained U.S. citizenship from his native South Africa.

Really he should be shooting for Jim Ryun's old best because Spivey's parents were from Zaire and everyone since Jim Ryun hasn't been a 'true American.'

[Shep]

Not looking to stir anything up at all, but if you want to be consistent with your line of thinking, then Webb needs to shoot for Spivey's 3:31.01 time because the AR is held by Sydney Maree...a guy who gained U.S. citizenship from his native South Africa.


Brilliant post. I was thinking the same thing.

[greenman]

I dont' really have a big problem with them competing for the US....i do kinda have a problem with them destroying out records and taking spots for big competitions but for a particular reason. If Lagat comes here and runs 326/343, destroying our records, like when KK ran 205 for US right after coming over....it's just not good for our sport in my opinion.

Sure Guys should be aiming to be the best everywhere not just here....but at least before a guy like alan webb has a target like 329/347 to aim for...something he can see in the near future....now all of a suddent it could be so far out there. I thikn it'll just be a little discouraging for our athletes. I'm not saying it's wrong to let them run for us, i'm saying it won't be the best thing for our athletes.

It won't motivate them to run harder....it'll motivate them to quit the sport earlier. this is not a positive thing for the rest of our distance runners to feel like their chances are dim. This is a big reason of what caused the downturn in the 80's...the africans taking over on the world scene....people got discourgaged and built up this like mythological monster in them. Now they are coming to compete for us and i think it could have a similar effect.A few things here.

800 m 1:42.60 Johnny Gray Santa Monica TC Koblenz (DEU) 8/28/85
1000 m 2:13.9 Rick Wohlhuter UCTC Oslo (NOR) 7/20/74
1500 m 3:29.77 Sydney Maree Puma Cologne (DEU) 8/25/85
1 mi. 3:47.69 Steve Scott Sub-4 TC Oslo (NOR) 7/7/82
2000 m 4:52.44 Jim Spivey Athletics West Lausanne (CHE) 9/15/87
3000 m 7:30.84 Bob Kennedy Nike Fontvieille (MCO) 8/8/98
3000 m Steeplechase 8:09.17 Henry Marsh Athletics West Kublenz (GRC) 8/28/85
5000 m 12:58.21 Bob Kennedy Nike Zürich (CHE) 8/14/96
10000 m 27:13.98 Meb Keflezighi Nike Stanford, CA 5/4/01

Looking at the ancient dates of our "American only" AR's, we need SOMETHING to motivate our runners.

I'd also point out that in the NBA, NHL, and MLB, foreign athletes and naturalized citizens take away roster spots on virtually every team, but it has not discouraged young athletes from taking up those sports, nor has it hurt the competition.

Lastly, many runners competed at the World XC under countries in which they weren't born, instantly transforming them into distance powers. At worst, I see this as just leveling the playing field a little. The US may actually gain an advantage if US born runners do indeed raise their level, because we certainly have the numbers that countries like Rwanda, Qatar, Eritrea etc. do not have.

[trojanrunna]

If a guy wants to be the best he can be he has to sacrifice, even if that means living at mommy and daddy's house for a few years while he gives it his all.
hey now, that's taking it a bit too far. living with your parents is UNNECESSARY. it makes you the king of all losers.

[Dragonsoul]

Welcome to the USA Bernard Lagat. Read my post in the letsrun.com thread, I think this is a good thing. There are some possible consequences to this but overall I think the pros outweigh them.

Bernard Lagat stated that he wants to run the 1500m in Beijing, I doubt he'd do the 5k there although he may run it more. Bernard made his switch now rather than later probably because he wants to be able to run in Beijing, four years from now.

Is he allowed to run in the USA champs meet even though he's not going to Helsinki? Imagine if El G only runs the 5k in Helsinki and Lagat isn't running and Alan Webb ends up winning hehe. I think El G is doubling again though.

:)

[gesser]

Welcome to the USA Bernard Lagat. Read my post in the letsrun.com thread, I think this is a good thing. There are some possible consequences to this but overall I think the pros outweigh them.

Bernard Lagat stated that he wants to run the 1500m in Beijing, I doubt he'd do the 5k there although he may run it more. Bernard made his switch now rather than later probably because he wants to be able to run in Beijing, four years from now.

Is he allowed to run in the USA champs meet even though he's not going to Helsinki? Imagine if El G only runs the 5k in Helsinki and Lagat isn't running and Alan Webb ends up winning hehe. I think El G is doubling again though.

:)

No, Webb's going to wait til the 2008 to pique our interest in him again.

Until then, people will bash him and say he should've stuck with Warhurst.

I personally will remain 100% loyal to the Webbster this time around. I'm hoping to see him drop another second from his 1500 this summer.

[vallistastud49]

Classy guy. Wish him well as an American.

He'll raise the bar of U.S. 1500/miling for the next 4 or so years to come.

Well said. I think he will be a driving force to show our guys that you have to drop the hammer when necessary. In fact, when he was at WSU, he, Seneca, Gabe, and the guy from SMU (name totally slips my mind) had some classic battles in the 1500.

[Mrr82]

Well said. I think he will be a driving force to show our guys that you have to drop the hammer when necessary. In fact, when he was at WSU, he, Seneca, Gabe, and the guy from SMU (name totally slips my mind) had some classic battles in the 1500.

Yea but he's been runing races here for years since graduating and it hasn't done squat...gabe and seneca have done nothing, and seneca even trains with Lagat doens't he?. the only new races he'll be running are the US championships. Thats' the only change really. Tbat's the only big race that will come of change because of his change of nationality.

[CougarReggie]

I am proud to say that Lagat is a proud alum of Washington State University..go cougs! It's awesome that he will be a US citizen but I don't see him running for the USA in any international competitions. That's just me.

p.s. I am excited I graduate from WSU in about 3 weeks with my B.A. in Sport Management. :)

[nordicrunner]

go reggie, my facebook friend!

[SwiperTheFox]

If Lagat comes here and runs 326/343, destroying our records, like when KK ran 205 for US right after coming over....it's just not good for our sport in my opinion.

Funny how we had the best US marathoning years in decades shortly after KK became a citizen, isn't it?

[mzungu]

I welcome bernard lagat to citizenship to this country. I have always liked him, but my faith was shaken by the initial positive EPO test, even though the second did not confirm the first. What is happening, in general, is that several distance running powers, which are poor countries where the competition for every spot is incredibly intense, are branching out to countries where the competition is weaker, life is easier, and the money is potentially greater. for bernard lagat, this is a natural move, since he has lived here for the past nine years; for others, the move is not even physical but only a change of citizenship and name in exchange for easy olympic/wc spots and money. there is a huge gap among our distance ranks, easy pickings for east african and northwest african distance runners. so, our record books already have a south african-born and raised runner with the AR at 1500m, an Eritrean born and American trained runner at 10000m, and a Moroccan born and raised runner at the marathon. there will be more. Lagat will soon set the American 1500m record; he has yet to run faster or at least much faster than Steve Scott's mile record, but his 1500m of 3:26.3(?) converts to much faster. He will also have a shot at the 5k record if he ever trains and races strictly for 5k. I believe he's run 13:11 in early season races. We are just going to have to deal with the fact. We now have a young Ethiopian(?) born runner with the national indoor 2 mile record. There are going to be more and more African-born runners competing for us, which will make us better but will not cover over problems in our own distance running development programs or culture. In any case, Lagat becomes a U.S. citizen at age 30 and so will be on a gradual decline in all likelihood within the next two or three years, and Webb/Ritz may satisfy those wishing for American distance records to be held by European Americans who lived in this country most of their lives.

[SteveIsham]

In fact, when he was at WSU, he, Seneca, Gabe, and the guy from SMU (name totally slips my mind) had some classic battles in the 1500.

Clyde Colenso is the South African who ran for SMU in the late 90s is whose name you forgot.

[trojanrunna]

off topic, but what ever happened to seneca lassiter?

[Dragonsoul]

Good posts here, Lagat's 5k pr is 13:19 from Mt. Sac win in 2002. I believe he can run much faster later in the season and faster if he trained for it. If he focused only on 5k this year I believe he could run 12:59 in Zurich or similar. I believe he'll stick with the 1500, he wants the Olympic Gold medal.

This is Seneca Lassiter's 2004 results...
1500 m
3:41.66 SB (219) 2 Jam Inv Kingston 7 May
3:47.62 8 Home Depot Carson CA 22 May
3:45.91 16 Adidas Gresham OR 5 Jun
3:42.65 5h1 OT Sacramento CA 15 Jul
3:44.54 9s1 OT Sacramento CA 16 Jul
One Mile
4:03.50 SB (57) 5 MSR Walnut CA 18 Apr
4:06.32 6 PennR Philadelphia PA 24 Apr

Slower than before, but good to see him competing, although I wonder if he can get to a high level. Why is he so famous among USA milers with a lot of expectations? Did he do something great at a young age?

[jrun]

Why is he so famous among USA milers with a lot of expectations? Did he do something great at a young age?

1:45.51 and 3:33.72 as a collegian?

http://www.usatf.org/athletes/bios/oldBios/2003/Lassiter_Seneca.asp

[cnick]

He's also slightly infamous for pacing Lagat at the 2002 World Cup meet.

[SteveIsham]

I'm not sure what Seneca is doing this year, butr last year he ran the Olympic Trials. He got through to the semifinals, but didn't qualify for the final. At the Oly Trials, he ran 3:42.65 (quarterfinal) and 3:44.54 (semis). I recall at some other meet last year he ran around a 3:40 or so.

[trojanrunna]

he's also from my home town.

[Dragonsoul]

3:33 is fast for a NCAA fat kat~!! Has he trained with David Krummenacker? Who trains with David?

Bernard Lagat is running the Mt. Sac invite Mens 5k tonight!! I predict a 13:19 win for him. There are two dozen fairly elite people in the race with maybe 8 people win.

KEVIN SULLIVAN IS RUNNING THE 5K!!! After so many years he finally is running a 5k(I believe he ran a slow conference champs 5k one time though).

What is your prediction for Kevin Sullivan? I predict high 13:30's or low 13:40's!!!

:p? ;p~!!

[emceelaszlo]

want to know why Bernard Lagat ran that fast on Friday. I'll tell you. Its b/c i went up to him and gave him a hug and wished him good luck before he even warmed up, he was stewing in good karma the entire evening... all b/c of me

[cnick]

That's sooo cute.

[runnerdude]

Can Lagat run the US championships even though he can't run WC?

[MaestroXC]

Yes.

[Dragonsoul]

Great! I wonder if he'd run the 5k at Usatf? I am guessing not because he'd want to be rested and recovered for some fast Euro 1500 races probably? I want him to run Brussels 3k!

:rolleyes: :eek: !!!

[runningjsc]

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/columnists/cs-0504190136apr19,1,5693616.column?coll=cs-columnists&ctrack=1&cset=true

[Kniteryder]

Barring the incident where he some how tested positive for that EPO in a initial drug test, then failed the 2nd...I have always liked Lagat, I hope he can charge up our middle distance guys and get them going, because I am surely tired of seeing 3:40's(outside of Webb) and 13:20's-mid win US champs when most of these guys LACK the qualifying standard anyway. It makes no sense for them to sit and kick. That is too much of the normal in the US.

Good luck Lagat and Welcome! BTW-I watched him BLAZE the Millrose Mile in stunning fashion...HE WAS ROLLIN'!!!

[KevinM]

Guys, read the Chicagosports.com link posted above. We're going to hear lots more about this before it's over.

[cnick]

Citizenship flap may cost Lagat his medal

Aprile 19th, 2005

Bernard Lagat's 2004 Olympic medal could be in question because he has been a U.S. citizen for nearly a year, the Tribune has learned.

That means Lagat was not a citizen of Kenya when he ran for that nation and won the silver medal in the 1,500 meters at the Athens Olympics.


The Kenyan constitution says its nationals lose Kenyan citizenship if they become citizens of another country. An Olympic athlete must be a citizen of the country represented.

Phil Minshull of Spain Sports Services issued a release last week announcing Lagat had become a U.S. citizen. Minshull said Lagat had been naturalized March 29, 2005.

Attempts to verify that led to different information. A person familiar with the paperwork told the Tribune that Lagat had become a citizen May 7, 2004--3 1/2 months before representing Kenya at the Olympics.

After being presented with those facts, Minshull on Monday sent the Tribune a statement from Lagat in which the runner confirmed the earlier citizenship date and said the press release issued last week "may have been misleading."

It remains unclear whether Lagat, second-fastest metric miler in history, did not reveal his U.S. citizenship earlier to preserve his Olympic eligibility last year. In Monday's statement, Lagat said he did not release the information because he considered it a "personal matter."

Rule 42 (1) of the Olympic Charter reads, "Any competitor in the Olympic Games must be a national of the country of the NOC (National Olympic Committee) which is entering such competitor."

The International Olympic Committee said it could not comment on the case because it did not have all the details.

Two-time Olympic champion Kip Keino, president of the Kenyan Olympic Committee, said by telephone last week he was not aware Lagat had become a U.S. citizen before the Athens Games. Asked if Kenya still would have included him on the Olympic team if it had known about Lagat's change in status, Keino said, "Yes."

That would run counter to the Kenyan constitution. Section 97 (3) says a Kenyan over age 21 loses his citizenship if he voluntarily becomes a citizen of another country.

The Olympic Charter allows a citizen of two countries to represent either. To compete for the second country, the athlete must wait three years since last representing the first.

The international track federation's council recently proposed a similar rule for its events. That rule, which must be approved by the IAAF congress in August, is a reaction to the wave of athletes, mainly Kenyans, becoming instant citizens of countries like Qatar that offer considerable financial incentives.

The waiting period can be shortened if the athlete's original country agrees. Keino also said he did not expect Kenya to allow Lagat to compete for the United States before the three-year waiting period is up. That would be in time for Lagat, who lives in Tucson, Ariz., to represent the U.S. in the 2007 world championships.

According to reports, Kenya's Sports Minister, Ochilo Ayacko, said last week athletes who have renounced their Kenyan nationality should no longer be allowed to train in Kenya.

Lagat, 30, said he has lived in the U.S. since 1996 and intends to remain.

"I thought long and hard before changing my nationality," Lagat said in last week's release, "but, at the age of 30, I have to look to my future after my running career has come to an end. ... Most of my family still live in Kenya, and I will continue to maintain strong links with the country."

----------

phersh@tribune.com

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/international/cs-0504190136apr19,1,507034.story


So does this mean that he broke the American indoor mile record?

[mzungu]

this (best time in the world last year) would seem to be the new american record in the 1500m if he was indeed a u.s. citizen since last april or may:
3:27.40 Bernard Lagat KEN 12 12 1974 1 Zürich 06 08 2004

[Kniteryder]

this (best time in the world last year) would seem to be the new american record in the 1500m if he was indeed a u.s. citizen since last april or may:
3:27.40 Bernard Lagat KEN 12 12 1974 1 Zürich 06 08 2004


Being that he did NOT assume nationality under the US until this year, wouldn't he still have been able to compete for Kenya, even though they are mad now, that seems very immature and childish to try and get his medal taken away on a technicality when he DID represent Kenya for the Oly Games and won them a prestigous medal under their flag...

Talk about being bitter....that is like an ugly divorce!!

:rolleyes:

[JSC.Rnr]

I would like to point out one serious flaw in Mrr82's argument.

My "exhibit A", if you will, is the 400m dash. The United States has easily the best 400 crew in the world, and making the team is damn near impossible...yet waves of kids are trying their balls off to improve. Look at the 200...same thing. If top competition discouraged athletes, there would be no Lashawn Merritts pulling out 45.25/20.8 doubles in high school. Kerron Clement would have quit in college...after all, Jeremy Wariner was a collegiate athlete and 2x Olympic gold medalist; Clement was just a collegiate athlete.

[Scotty]

IMO, By June of 2007, Lagat will not be nearly the runner he is now. He will be 33 by then (I believe). Webb will be 25yrs/5mos and will (presumably) be a bit better than his current 3:32pt/3:50pt PRs.

In other words, while Webb is no Lagat right now (and probably will never match Lagat's PRs), he will likely improve over the next 3+yrs. Lagat will almost certainly fade between now and the 2008 Games (where I think BL may still be somewhat competitive at 5000m)

[SwiperTheFox]

I think it's pretty obvious that Lagat lied to the Kenyan government and sports administration because he didn't want to miss what was probably his last real chance at an Olympic gold medal. If it were that important to him, I don't know why he didn't just delay his citizenship a few more months until after the Games. Pretty stupid move, if you ask me.

[Kniteryder]

I think it's pretty obvious that Lagat lied to the Kenyan government and sports administration because he didn't want to miss what was probably his last real chance at an Olympic gold medal. If it were that important to him, I don't know why he didn't just delay his citizenship a few more months until after the Games. Pretty stupid move, if you ask me.


I don't think its a lie if you still represent your native country as SO MANY OTHER ATHLETES do while living in a new place of residence. MANY int'l athletes live and train HERE in the US, but still represent their country of nationality. I think he did so to serve his country, but as far as his future(which he specified) I think he felt its in the best interest if him personally. I don't think he will be as goodat 33 or so either so the fact that he gave Kenya the better part of his athletic career says that had he wanted, he could have done the citizenship change thing a long time ago...but felt it was be-fitting for him to compete for Kenya. Its not like he all of a sudden changed allegiance like that of Malachi Davis who just did so right b4 the games...although we aren't worried about him...not with our stock load of 400m runners in the US.

[SwiperTheFox]

You're forgetting the part in the Kenyan constitution that says that if you accept citizenship of another country, you automatically forfeit your Kenyan citizenship. This is different than dual citizenship...Lagat was not a citizen of Kenya when he ran in Athens.