Fast indoor sprinting in October!

[tafnut]

this universe is held together by the supernova of track and field, a single north star we call tafnut.

A more accurate description might be 'dim-bulb' . . . :?

[eldrick]

Not to take this precisely down the road you were trying to ignore, what does "native Qatari" mean for Mansour? Do we know really where he was born? It's not in the Olympic archive. I can't imagine that the importation of labor hasn't existed there (as in all countries) for decades.

spot on

the gulf countries have imported huge quantities of immigrant labour to build their cities/roads/infrastructure/work in oil/etc, ever since they found oil there ~ 50y ago ( it wasn't worth spitting on their land before then ) - you can see a modern version of the tale in clooney's syriana

( i know this this because my pa nearly emigrated to that region 50y ago from kenya, but didn't fancy moving to somewhere where booze was banned ! :P :wink: )

[tandfman]

Francis didn't have fast indoor time for same reason most Qataris don't: "indoors, what is this word indoors?"

They may find out soon enough. Qatar is apparently bidding to host the 2010 World Indoor Championships.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_IAAF_ ... mpionships

[cacique]

There was a story linked on the front page here a few weeks ago suggested that Francis is more of a Ramzi-style economic migrant than a Shaheen-style "recruit".

so what? what's the difference? Qatar is still buying athletes left and right. not just TF but also weightlifters (remember sydney scandal), soccer players, and others. it's disgusting.

[HoGu]

well what about this guy: 6.56 Yahya Al-Kahes (Saudi Ariabia, NR)
Never heard of him.

[Cooter Brown]

Just curious, why are the asian championship meets always seem to be at the most random times of the year? Are their other meets going on there during the off months with results that aren't getting to westerners?

[Justin Clouder]

There was a story linked on the front page here a few weeks ago suggested that Francis is more of a Ramzi-style economic migrant than a Shaheen-style "recruit".

so what? what's the difference? Qatar is still buying athletes left and right. not just TF but also weightlifters (remember sydney scandal), soccer players, and others. it's disgusting.

An economic migrant is moving somewhere to try to make a better life for themselves. I would have thought that this concept would be readily understood by an American, of all people, given that the entire country is founded on people like Samuel Francis.

The difference is this: he's not being paid a salary, he hasn't changed his name or his religion and it's up to him to run fast if he wants to make a living. This is not the same as an already successful athlete being offered a monthly stipend for life and taking an Islamic name.

I wish I'd never even started this thread, it's just another excuse for the board xenophobes, cynics and other assorted nasties to spread their poison. Sometimes this board makes me want to throw up.

Justin

[tafnut]

I wish I'd never even started this thread, it's just another excuse for the board xenophobes, cynics and other assorted nasties to spread their poison. Sometimes this board makes me want to throw up.

Say what?? What is the 'poison'? What are our (I have been in these discussions (obviously!)) and I don't remember xenophobia, cynicism OR other nastiness. What is the origin of your nausea? I really have no clue what the heck you're talking about (and I think you're a cool guy, with lots of fascinating sprint knowledge!).

[gh]

Just curious, why are the asian championship meets always seem to be at the most random times of the year? Are their other meets going on there during the off months with results that aren't getting to westerners?

weather?

[Justin Clouder]

Say what?? What is the 'poison'? What are our (I have been in these discussions (obviously!)) and I don't remember xenophobia, cynicism OR other nastiness.

Ten of the responses in this thread - excluding my own - make reference in some way to Francis's "import" status, via sarcasm (KevinM and gh), faux migration expertise (eldrick) and outright nastiness (cacique).

Not ONE person mentioned that (i) this is a very fast time, especially for someone who has never run indoors before; (ii) he looks like a serious prospect who might even be a threat in Beijing if he keeps improving.

Then there is another whole conversation about what this story tells us about untapped sprinting talent in Nigeria and other undeveloped nations. Anyone interested in that? No, I thought not. Far more fun to launch ignorant attacks on a man using his talent and hard work to try to make a success of his life. Damn the nerve of the man, wanting to better himself, he should have stayed at home in his crappy village, never having a chance to reveal his sub-10 talent.

Justin

[paulthefan]

I wish I'd never even started this thread, it's just another excuse for the board xenophobes, cynics and other assorted nasties to spread their poison. Sometimes this board makes me want to throw up.

how any of us can be xenophobes with respect to parts unknown on the arabian peninsula is beyond even the north star of track, the fount of wisdom, the moral compass of this body politic or even to me for that matter.

[jazzcyclist]

how any of us can be xenophobes with respect to parts unknown on the arabian peninsula is beyond even the north star of track, the fount of wisdom, the moral compass of this body politic or even to me for that matter.

Huh! You're the last person I would expect to say something like that. :roll:

[gh]

Say what?? What is the 'poison'? What are our (I have been in these discussions (obviously!)) and I don't remember xenophobia, cynicism OR other nastiness.

Ten of the responses in this thread - excluding my own - make reference in some way to Francis's "import" status, via sarcasm (KevinM and gh), ...

Say... WHAT?! I can be the king of sarcastic, but I've put nothing on this thread that wasn't intended as (and is/was) historical fact and or query. You're reading things that just aren't there.

[lonewolf]

Those of us who have not "walked a mile in their bare feet" should not presume to judge athletes who take their talents abroad to better their life.

IMO, it brings little/no glory to the adopted nation, when a Kenyan/Tanzanian/Nigerian, blessed with genetic/ cultural/environmental advantages but cursed with economic disavantage, emigrates and is naturalized in the United States/ Denmark/ Quatar/Saudi Arabia, thereby becoming eligible to represent their new country in international competition.

I doubt the acquiring nations are motivated by altruism. So, if they want to delude themselves that it somehow enhances their athletic reputation internationally, power to them. At least a few athetes benefit and I can't see it does any harm.
Sort of an "emperor has no clothes" situation where all observers are aware of his nakedness but no one comments.

[paulthefan]

how any of us can be xenophobes with respect to parts unknown on the arabian peninsula is beyond even the north star of track, the fount of wisdom, the moral compass of this body politic or even to me for that matter.

Huh! You're the last person I would expect to say something like that. :roll:

and what in the world does that mean?.. speak plainly young fellow.

I will admit to some xenophobia, namely that I consider it good when a US college recruits and gives scholarships to US citizens. When the Univ of NameaState gives a full ride to a 4:10 miler from whereeverabroad when there was a 4:20 miler right down the road I dont like it.