¶Monaco (Herculis) DL--m5000 Soi 12:51.34 WL

[bobguild76]

Re: ¶Monaco (Herculis) DL--m5000 Soi 12:51.34 WL

I think the distance races at Moscow will go down as being marked by controversy.

The Kenyan Federation has taken an iron hand approach with their athletes for this championship. Look for aggressive "team" tactics in every distance race.
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The last men's 10k I saw with that kind of stuff going in, a Kenyan was on the receiving end and a Moroccan was doing the giving.

Almost ... a month after those Olympics, at the World Jr Championships, Machuko (the top Kenyan Jr) delivered a roundhouse right to Geb just before the finish, and was dq'ed. UFC woulda been proud! And in the WC 5k the following year, the Kenyans teamed up big time to repay Skah.

[Brian]

Re: ¶Monaco (Herculis) DL--m5000 Soi 12:51.34 WL

The Kenyan distance runners have also been at a mandatory training camp this time, a' la the teams before the World Cross-Country when they dominated.

They are serious indeed for these championships.

As far as the 10,000m., Farah and Rupp going 1-2 at The Games smarted. Especially Rupp; at the risk of playing a race card, your basic Kenyan official doesn't like seeing their athletes lose to a mzungu (white man).

Sorry, PC folks, but that's just the way it is.

[Interestingly, the term is becoming less acceptable in Africa these days, now being seen by some of the native peoples as racist. The greater migration of whites in and/or natives out of the African countries these days changing attitudes, perhaps? Whatever...good!]
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[DecFan]

Re: ¶Monaco (Herculis) DL--m5000 Soi 12:51.34 WL

As far as the 10,000m., Farah and Rupp going 1-2 at The Games smarted. Especially Rupp; at the risk of playing a race card, your basic Kenyan official doesn't like seeing their athletes lose to a mzungu (white man).

Sorry, PC folks, but that's just the way it is.

[Interestingly, the term is becoming less acceptable in Africa these days, now being seen by some of the native peoples as racist. The greater migration of whites in and/or natives out of the African countries these days changing attitudes, perhaps? Whatever...good!]

In the mid-80s I lived in Nairobi and participated as the only mzungu in several Kenya AAA cross country races. At the first race I ran - at what was then Kenyatta Teachers College - the finish was on a grass track, and an official was "announcing" the race with a bullhorn. As I came onto the track, finishing in the top fifth of the field, he called out, "And here comes an mzungu! He's running very well for an mzungu! Give him a hand!"

[26mi235]

Re: ¶Monaco (Herculis) DL--m5000 Soi 12:51.34 WL

So how do they refer to Froome (who has one odd riding style)?

[Brian]

Re: ¶Monaco (Herculis) DL--m5000 Soi 12:51.34 WL

To clarify: Kenya was colonized by the British, which opened the door for other Europeans to emigrate to the country for various reasons, most involving making money (coffee plantations, etc.).

A white-skinned person was synonymous to all Europeans to many if not most native Kenyans. The term mzungu was not necessarily a term of endearment to those who viewed the influx of Europeans as invaders forcing a foreign culture down their throats.

Plus the difference in social status; there was a picturesque area in the Kenyan mountains that was taken over almost exclusively as a European settlement that is perhaps to this day still known as "The White Highlands"--perhaps the world's first "gated community" of whites to keep out blacks.

It was a difficult struggle for Kenyan independence, achieved only about 50 or so years ago.

Mzungu was/is not always considered racist in use, but lately has been seen in the country as a derogatory name/statement.

But when I said in an earlier post that Kenyan athletes do not like to lose to a mzungu, I mean it is a matter of pride, not (necessarily) racism. That said, memories linger, history is history, and to many Kenyans, white skin still harks back to European invaders who occupied the country for many decades before eventual independence that came at a great cost of life.

[I was fortunate to live for a few years with a middle-aged Kenyan teacher from Kenyatta College named Mutunga, who was in the US to get another masters degree. And no, he didn't run--to the amazement and entertainment of my friends. Mutunga was built like an American football player and smoked like a chimney.]
:]

I did get to meet Kip Keino through him, though.
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[pickle47]

Re: ¶Monaco (Herculis) DL--m5000 Soi 12:51.34 WL

Almost ... a month after those Olympics, at the World Jr Championships, Machuko (the top Kenyan Jr) delivered a roundhouse right to Geb just before the finish, and was dq'ed. UFC woulda been proud! And in the WC 5k the following year, the Kenyans teamed up big time to repay Skah.

LOL! I think I remember seeing that...more a moment of passion than a team edict? I'm going to look for the 1993 5k when I get a few minutes.

[26mi235]

Re: ¶Monaco (Herculis) DL--m5000 Soi 12:51.34 WL

Soi wins in a very good time -- and my priors on him winning in Moscow decline (but the odds of him medalling improve).

[bobguild76]

Re: ¶Monaco (Herculis) DL--m5000 Soi 12:51.34 WL

Almost ... a month after those Olympics, at the World Jr Championships, Machuko (the top Kenyan Jr) delivered a roundhouse right to Geb just before the finish, and was dq'ed. UFC woulda been proud! And in the WC 5k the following year, the Kenyans teamed up big time to repay Skah.

LOL! I think I remember seeing that...more a moment of passion than a team edict? I'm going to look for the 1993 5k when I get a few minutes.

Yes, you are correct ... the 92 10k was absolutely a "heat of the moment" thing, and not team tactics. Machuka was dq'ed, and the Kenyan coach completely agreed with it. But the 93 5k was definitely a team thing (with help from the Ethiopians also), although Kirui's gold medal run was a pedal to the metal barnburner thing of beauty from the get go.