[OFB Cafe] Nation-switchers trouble Olympic chiefs

[Rick Bowers]

At Thursday 8/21/2008 14:24, you wrote:
>Hi,  y'all,
>
>http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_depth/7574379.stm
>
>What do you Yanks think?
>
>I have to confess that I find such behaviour inexplicable, if not
>reprehensible.
>
>"Because I'm not good enough for my own country's squad, I'll join
>another (antagonistic) country's team, because it's me, innit?"
>
>The photograph is telling as well.
>
>Perhaps, if she returns to the States she will be able to defend and
>explain her adopted country's recent actions.
>
>Does she still have an American passport?
>
>Terence

I don't particularly find this disturbing. Apparently the Olympic 
committee allows this, so there is nothing legally wrong.

Perhaps the emphasis is in the wrong place. If the Olympics is 
suppose to award the best athletes, why does it matter what country 
they represent? Let them compete as individuals. where you are born, 
or raised, or who you represent shouldn't matter. If you are the best 
at a athletic competition, you are the best. May the best *individual* win.

Of course, this doesn't apply to the team sports. Perhaps there 
should be a minimum amount of time a team member must be a citizen 
before s/he can compete as a member of a nation's team.

YMMV.

~Rick