Change of nationality

ZiggyStardust

Hi guys,
I heard the Table tennis governing body are considering changing their rules so that you cannot change nationality over the age of 18 as so many x chinese table tennis players were representing different countries.

What about athletics? Before you were limited to 3 Kenyans, 3 Ethiopians, 3 Morrocans etc, but now with so many of these athletes representing other countries (most notably gulf countries) you might have 5 Kenyans or 5 Ethiopians in each race. Thus making it harder for others to qualify or even medal.
I know Kipketer represented Denmark in the '90's, but it now seems to be happening more and more - Lagat and Khannouchi representing USA, Abeylegesse - Turkey. A number of Kenyans representing Qatar. I know this is for money, but where is the patriotism and maybe fairness of this.

Anyone else thinkg this should be looked at? Just an observation of mine this week.

robinph

Well the GB silver medalist in the high jump had previously represented Jamaica so hopefully they don't claim him back again.

Pherekydes

ZiggyStardust wrote: »

Hi guys,
I heard the Table tennis governing body are considering changing their rules so that you cannot change nationality over the age of 18 as so many x chinese table tennis players were representing different countries.

What about athletics? Before you were limited to 3 Kenyans, 3 Ethiopians, 3 Morrocans etc, but now with so many of these athletes representing other countries (most notably gulf countries) you might have 5 Kenyans or 5 Ethiopians in each race. Thus making it harder for others to qualify or even medal.
I know Kipketer represented Denmark in the '90's, but it now seems to be happening more and more - Lagat and Khannouchi representing USA, Abeylegesse - Turkey. A number of Kenyans representing Qatar. I know this is for money, but where is the patriotism and maybe fairness of this.

Anyone else thinkg this should be looked at? Just an observation of mine this week.

It's allowed in the work place generally, so why should sport differ?

A point of clarification: Neither Bernard Lagat nor Wilson Kipketer changed nationality for money. They both went to college in their adopted countries and married natives. It seems to me only natural that they would want to naturalise.

ZiggyStardust

Good point about the workplace, but was just putting my thoughts down.

Sorry, should have clarified. Was talking about the Kenyans to Qatar for the money.

Dodge

Nothing wrong with naturalised people changing IMO (Kipketer, Lagat) or for descendents (Cragg etc). have a big problem with the Qatari and Bahrain governemtn buying medals though

aoa321

ZiggyStardust wrote: »

I know this is for money, but where is the patriotism and maybe fairness of this.

Anyone else thinkg this should be looked at? Just an observation of mine this week.

I agree with you, it should be looked at but it probably won't - it's all about money apparently, probably, usually ... yawn !! I think this is a question of emotion and personal preference rather than logic so we're unlikely to get agreement or a right v. wrong answer here.

For me seeing Kenyans etc. representing other countries has as negative an effect on the Olympics as does the rumours about drugs - that's just my tuppenceworth. I don't agree that Lagat is American, international sport is being ruined and the very essence of it is being destroyed all this chopping and changing. I think things are improving in rugby, but it used to be a case of X playing for Italy, he was playing for Argentina up to 2 years before - I think it's bullsh1t.

You should be "stuck" representing your one and only country. I don't even agree with Cragg representing Ireland - why? What's the story? Why is he representing me? Do I have anything in common with him - could we share a a joke about the television programs we watched as children, or being dragged to Mass every Sunday, or the weather, or any other shared experience?

International sport should be international sport, it's supposed to be different, that's my lot.

mike65

Georgia have two Brazilians playing volleyball for them.

Mike.

robinph

^ Four, both the mens and womens beach vollyball teams for Georgia are from Brazil.

Pride Fighter

We live in a new world. Nationality changes should be allowed to genuine people who have moved somewhere due to work or emotional commitments.