Sanya Richards in Kingston [split]

[TrackDaddy]

[quote=Paul Henry]

Just can't understand the apparent anti-Sonya vibe from so-called Jamaican fans. The young lady has a right do what she wants.

And fans have a right to think or say what they want.

I'd prefer her running for the US than running for Jamaica with a heavy heart wishing had kept a US citizenship like so many other so called Jamaican fans have to their names. They need to just hp off her and let her be.

If her US citizenship was delayed for just a few weeks, she would have missed the US junior trials and would have been on the Jamaican team for the World Juniors. Given the timelines (Games in July, selection process in June, US citizenship didn't happen until May) she may have actually submitted the initial paperwork to make herself eligible for selection to the Jamaican team. But then her US citizenship got approved so she instantly dumps Jamaica and throws on the US colors. That sort of thing rubs many Jamaican fans the wrong way. It is also why I have some evil glee whenever I see her get beat by a Jamaican athlete who carries the Jamaican colors.
[quote:1mvyx2op]Besides, we all kno that she would gett he cold shoulder if she had signed on to be a Jamaican runner living and based overseas who was not locally baptised.

Not true. She was competing for her school when she was in Jamaica, and other athletes who started running in JA in their pre-teens or early teens and then moved to the US but maintained the Jamaican colors have been fully embraced by the Jamaican fans, for example James Beckford and Davian Clarke.

How do -not all Jamaicans but the grudge holding, bitter ones- feel about Sandra Patrick Farmer?

She came to the US as a child about the same age as Sanya, but she actually ran FOR Jamaica in the 84 games I believe before SWITCHING to run for the US.

Even though JA obviously wanted her to remain on the team she gained US citizenship and switched to the US team. Maybe its because she felt like a hypocrite MAKING HER LIVING IN THE US but running for a country she only visited on vacation.

Who knows?

Although I do understand that it seems customary and acceptable for millions of regular non-athlete Jamaicans who reside in (but in reality hate :roll: ) the US... its a no no if you run track.

Anyway I was wondering...

Do you hate her too? :?

So, its okay to MOVE to the US, seek CITIZENSHIP (by pledging allegiance to the flag (the red white and blue one), LIVE, TRAIN and raise your family here..

But you have to pretend you still love Jamaica more by wearing its colors once a year in a track meet?

Got it. :?

*Sigh*

Oh wretched man that I am, who will save me from this body of death?[/quote:1mvyx2op]

You so need to have a reader and reasoning modulator!!!!!!!
Why are u trying to disagree with something and then agree with it? In your rush to attack you haven't checked to realize that you are making the point as me!![/quote:1mvyx2op]

Hank

I ONLY disagreed with you when you said Americans have no "fighting mentality (sans Tyson and Lauryn)."

As though we our team is made up of quitters.

Go back and look.

So, I believe its you who have misunderstood and was maybe in a rush to attack.

But I forgive you.

[TrackDaddy]

How do -not all Jamaicans but the grudge holding, bitter ones- feel about Sandra Patrick Farmer?

She came to the US as a child about the same age as Sanya, but she actually ran FOR Jamaica in the 84 games I believe before SWITCHING to run for the US.

I don't think anybody holds it against her for switching to the US. The problem is when she tried to get on the Jamaican team (I believe in 1988) only after failing to make the US team that year. Jamaica didn't want to be her sloppy seconds backup plan so they refused her.

I see.

If I remember correctly at the US trials she was given a new lane assignment at the last minute and during the course of the race lost her way and gravitated out of her lane and was DQ'D.

Then she tried petitioned to make the JA. It wasn't like she just didnt fail to qualify and then went to JA to try and make it I dont believe.

I could be wrong but I believe those are the specifics.

[usafa]

Maybe its me, but I think the animosity towards Sanya by some is due to the fact that she is darn good. Germaine Mason gets a free pass and Sanya is taken to task by some. I just don't understand.

She has given back so much to Vaz Prep, I wish all our athletes did the same.

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/sports/h ... TO_IT_.asp

[Paul Henry]

NO! The last crop of athletes in beijing were not up to for the fight. Not Americans on a whole (the swimmers were far more inspired). As I said that would not have happened under Lewis', devers' or Green's watch. Last year's team performed way lower than thier full potential including Sanya who lost because of what I think shear lack of drive.

They needed the "come get me" or the "I'm the one to beat" attitude

[Paul Henry]

Maybe its me, but I think the animosity towards Sanya by some is due to the fact that she is darn good. Germaine Mason gets a free pass and Sanya is taken to task by some. I just don't understand.

She has given back so much to Vaz Prep, I wish all our athletes did the same.

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/sports/h ... TO_IT_.asp

Now that's one that this yardie feels free to hate on. This guy was groomed to this level by Jamaican training and resources to the fullest. Then to give it all away to a bigger island, that sucks. I mean you are free to do what you want but to defect to England froM Ja. when you were that deep rooted is just gushing, then to add insult to injury you are an English based in Jamaica.

But to each his own.

[texas_speed]

This 51.12 is her slowest ever season outdoor opener since becoming a senior. The last time she opened with a slower time was in 2004 (an easy 53.57). It's also the first time she has lost her opening outdoor race. Her previous outdoor openers were:

2002: 1st, 51.68, Coral Gables FL, Apr 13
2003: 1st, 51.73, Austin TX, May 3
2004: 1st, 53.57, Honolulu HI, Mar 20
2005: 1st, 51.03, Waco TX, Apr 23
2006: 1st, 50.44, Waco TX, Apr 22
2007: 1st, 50.74, Eugene OR, Jun 10
2008: 1st, 50.47, Waco TX, Apr 19
2009: 2nd, 51.12, Kingston, May 2

(Source: Tilastopaja)

All things considered, I'm not sure this season opener is much different than those others.

On her blog dated 4/28 and PRIOR TO LOSING in Jamaica she said that she'd been ill, was only 80-90%, and had missed (3 weeks) training.

I know people are saying she only said that AFTER she lost, but the truth is that she made it clear before.

Here's the blog link.

http://wcsnblogs.com/track-and-field/sanyarichards

TD I think a lot of people's sentiments are that they don't particularly care if any given athlete mentioned it before or after...most people don't want to hear it. Whether that's right, wrong or indifferent the perception of any athlete documenting missed time due to injury or illness is: 1) cite injury/illness before a race in case you have a less than stellar race to provide reason as to why you didn't do better or 2) cite injury/illness after a race to provide reason as to why you didn't do better.

Personally I just wish athletes would err on the side of not speaking on those types of things before or after unless its going to hold them out of an event. That is to say if you have to pull out of a meet and feel the need to explain why then do so. But if you choose to run then keep whatever may or may not be ailing you to yourself because, after all, you chose to lace em up and run.

I don't quite get the logic that "she didn't run the 4x1 because she was 80-90% and her teammates deserved better" but yet that same 80-90% was good enough for a stellar 4x4 leg.

Again, IMO, less is sometimes more.

[TrackDaddy]

NO! The last crop of athletes in beijing were not up to for the fight. Not Americans on a whole (the swimmers were far more inspired). As I said that would not have happened under Lewis', devers' or Green's watch. Last year's team performed way lower than thier full potential including Sanya who lost because of what I think shear lack of drive.

They needed the "come get me" or the "I'm the one to beat" attitude

I just think that Carl Lewis, Gail Devers, Mo Greene and their teammates may have been overall more talented than the team we sent to Beijing.

Its not that we weren't inspired.

Did we under perform?

Yes I agree with you there.

But I believe it was more because of disorganization on the part of USATF, than the individual athletes themselves.

[TrackDaddy]

This 51.12 is her slowest ever season outdoor opener since becoming a senior. The last time she opened with a slower time was in 2004 (an easy 53.57). It's also the first time she has lost her opening outdoor race. Her previous outdoor openers were:

2002: 1st, 51.68, Coral Gables FL, Apr 13
2003: 1st, 51.73, Austin TX, May 3
2004: 1st, 53.57, Honolulu HI, Mar 20
2005: 1st, 51.03, Waco TX, Apr 23
2006: 1st, 50.44, Waco TX, Apr 22
2007: 1st, 50.74, Eugene OR, Jun 10
2008: 1st, 50.47, Waco TX, Apr 19
2009: 2nd, 51.12, Kingston, May 2

(Source: Tilastopaja)

All things considered, I'm not sure this season opener is much different than those others.

On her blog dated 4/28 and PRIOR TO LOSING in Jamaica she said that she'd been ill, was only 80-90%, and had missed (3 weeks) training.

I know people are saying she only said that AFTER she lost, but the truth is that she made it clear before.

Here's the blog link.

http://wcsnblogs.com/track-and-field/sanyarichards

TD I think a lot of people's sentiments are that they don't particularly care if any given athlete mentioned it before or after...most people don't want to hear it. Whether that's right, wrong or indifferent the perception of any athlete documenting missed time due to injury or illness is: 1) cite injury/illness before a race in case you have a less than stellar race to provide reason as to why you didn't do better or 2) cite injury/illness after a race to provide reason as to why you didn't do better.

Personally I just wish athletes would err on the side of not speaking on those types of things before or after unless its going to hold them out of an event. That is to say if you have to pull out of a meet and feel the need to explain why then do so. But if you choose to run then keep whatever may or may not be ailing you to yourself because, after all, you chose to lace em up and run.

I don't quite get the logic that "she didn't run the 4x1 because she was 80-90% and her teammates deserved better" but yet that same 80-90% was good enough for a stellar 4x4 leg.

Again, IMO, less is sometimes more.

I can certainly see that persective, Tex.

That's why I said I preferred if San only said "I lost" after her race because people will take exception to anything else. Its not because I dont believe her because personally I do.

My point was that I thought it notable in this instance that she had mentioned her injury/condition in her blog before the JA meet. I believe you indicated that she hadnt mentioned it after running at Penn but in fact she did...just not in the post race interview. If she had mentioned it in the interview...well...we'd be where we are now even sooner :lol: . Many athletes mention their health in their blogs because their fans want to know where they are in their training.

As for the 4x1 comment, well, Corvette wasnt there, Muna didnt run, Torri wasnt there, so...

I'm guessing that the powers to be probably inquired about her services. And because of the missed work her speed wasnt there and being less than 100% she felt someone else would be better suited. As you know you can get hurt running short sprints if you havent prepared.

That would be my guess.

[TrackDaddy]

Maybe its me, but I think the animosity towards Sanya by some is due to the fact that she is darn good. Germaine Mason gets a free pass and Sanya is taken to task by some. I just don't understand.

She has given back so much to Vaz Prep, I wish all our athletes did the same.

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/sports/h ... TO_IT_.asp

I agree.

And I also believe she's gonna make some jokers (on the island AND the mainland) eat a few words this season.

Most people have already dismissed her chances this season and its early May. She just turned 24 and its over for her?

Gotta love it.

Kill it, Sanya!

[texas_speed]

I think most of us have just been spoiled with her running so fast so young.

I'm definitely not counting her out at all. I'm hoping she'll use this to kind of slide back in the shadows and go to work and ultimately put it all together when it matters most.

[TrackDaddy]

I think most of us have just been spoiled with her running so fast so young.

I'm definitely not counting her out at all. I'm hoping she'll use this to kind of slide back in the shadows and go to work and ultimately put it all together when it matters most.

Oh, I know you're not counting her out.

I just meant a lot of other people have made statements dismissing her.

And your last sentence are my sentiments exactly.

In fact, the whole US team could use that advice to some extent.

Well said.

[26mi235]

It seems to me that there a lot of idiotic stuff here.

Wilson Kipketer was fabulous runner. When malaria was active he did not do so well.

SR has a serious, atypical, sporadic disease and almost none of the people here know enough about either the disease and her particulars with it to be able to judge whether her failures are 'normal' ones or related to her condition. If and when it is the later all this pontificating is so much horse shit. Since you don't have a clue most of the time on what her underlying state is don't act and write like you are doing.

[gh]

e-mail to us from Sanya:

<<.....My health is up and down. Some days I feel great and I have fantastic work outs and other days I have terrible attacks with the Behcets and I have to just push through. It's a bit of a challenge but I'm just grateful that I am still able to do what I love to do!...>>

[knite]

You...I don't like to jump in these things...but I am tired of folks dumping on Sanya for whatever reason.

jamaican fans were bitterly cold to her at Penn, being disrespectful to by booing her as she was on the track. To my knowledge, she has ALWAYS given/shown/outright spoke of her love for her native country. Not in one intelligent persons mind can anyone question that.

The only blatant issue is that folks are bitter because the young lady IS GOOD while competing for the US. Funny how those same detractors are never so freely combatant against the likes of Donovan Bailey, Brandon Simpson (who was here today/gone tomorrow), Germain Mason, etc.

TD that was an excellent expample, that is Sandra Farmer Patrick. I've also seen the disdain trickle down to american coached athletes, as if those who've come to the US has not benefited as much or more than they've received by participating in collegiate sports, let alone going on to become world class in any professional sport.

I also find it completely hypocritical to bash the hand that feeds/so accepted you in and gave you the ability to attain a better lifestyle, but go on to bash and claim how bigger, better it is to live in your own native land....

New to those folks.....go home, we don't want or need you if that is the thanks we get. We WILL survive. At any rate, Sanya has and will always be a class act even amongst those who have done nothing but shown a great deal of jealousy and hate toward her.

Do the damn thing Sanya!

And for any American complaining....she was THE only US athlete in that Olympic 400m final, w/out her we'd be watching someone else attain a medal of any color...nuff said!

[justblaze1011]

NO! The last crop of athletes in beijing were not up to for the fight. Not Americans on a whole (the swimmers were far more inspired). As I said that would not have happened under Lewis', devers' or Green's watch. Last year's team performed way lower than thier full potential including Sanya who lost because of what I think shear lack of drive.

They needed the "come get me" or the "I'm the one to beat" attitude

I just think that Carl Lewis, Gail Devers, Mo Greene and their teammates may have been overall more talented than the team we sent to Beijing.

Its not that we weren't inspired.

Did we under perform?

Yes I agree with you there.

But I believe it was more because of disorganization on the part of USATF, than the individual athletes themselves.

TD, this is how you kill and end the argument about this so-called not having any fight.

Ask him this. Outside of Bolt on the men side, what did the other Jamaicans do??? Cuz as Penn proved it, that 4x100m world record was all one man!! And thats how you kill the BS!!! Last I check, the U.S. out medaled the rest of the world in the sprint events.