Is Nastia Liukin competing for America or Russia????

Question

"I would never trade being Russian, deep down, for anything," Liukin said. "But I do feel, I guess, American, because I compete for the U.S., and I would never trade that. It's kind of like, I'm happy and I'm proud of who I am. I'm proud of being Russian, but I'm proud to compete for the U.S."

Doesn't Seem very american to me

http://www.theledger.com/article/20080729/NEWS/807290482

Answer 1

Nastia Liukin is competing for America.

Her dad was also an Olympic athlete and won medals, I am pretty sure he competed for Russia.

I'm thinking her father probably used some "Russian" tactics or something, and that's a reason why she has an edge to everyone else, double training. But the fact that she chose to represent USA says something. But I know what you mean, her first sentence seems devoted to Russia, and then the sentence afterward seems sort of like a pick-up to redeem herself.

:)

Answer 2

Well, since she's a U.S. citizen, and that's where she lives, that's the team she competes for! There's nothing wrong with being proud of her heritage!

Answer 3

Out of context, that sounds a lot worse than I think it's supposed to.  I read the article, and that quote seems quite different in such light.  Also, imagine someone actually saying the words. . . the little "I guess" doesn't sound odd at all if you do that because we all say things like that when we're fumbling around for words.

What she's saying is that she's of Russian *ancestry* (very recent ancestry!) and is proud of that.  It's a great tradition, and has a great gymastics history.  However, she's also proud to be an American and to compete for the U.S.  A lot of people who've been living in this country for generations would probably say something like that in response to the right questions, too, so I wouldn't make too much of it.

Answer 4

USA

Answer 5

She was born in Moscow.

Answer 6

She was born in Moscow and raised in the US. So she can have pride in being Russian but as well as American. There are so many people legally in the US who are US citizens and are proud of their heritiage. I don't see any problems with her comments.  

Answer 7

AMERICA !!

did you see the uniform she was wearing last night  

Answer 8

She shouldn't really be competing for either. I mean seriously, with that forehead she's obviously from Mars or Pluto.  

Answer 9

shed play for russia if she could

Answer 10

Do you know what you are talking about!?  We should be PROUD that Nastia is representing the USA.  So what if she was born in Russia, she was RAISED in the US.  Americans aren't "pure-bloods" (Yeah, you sound like Voldemort), most proudly state "kiss me, I'm Irish!" yet have never stepped foot in Ireland..or Britian, Italy, Mexico, and so on.  Had Nastia competed as a Russian, she would have won the medal for Russia and we would be eating her dust.

Answer 11

She was born in Russia and raised in the United States. Why doesn't she sound American to you? Aren't you proud of YOUR heritage, or do you disregard it completely since you live in America?

What the h**l are you talking about "we don't need a Russian winning for us". Do you have any idea what you're saying? Almost every single person in America has come from another country or can trace their ancestors back to other countries. She is an American with Russian heritage, and you're prejudice!

Answer 12

Nastia Liukin has a Russian heritage and is proud of her heritage, but she is American and competes for America. Therefore she would be competing for America...

good luck*

Answer 13

Born in Moscow, raised in Houston, plays for America.

If she liked Russia more she would have played for Russia.

Answer 14

Nastia Liukin is of Russian extraction competing in the United States.  Except  for the native Americans( indians ) we are all of some extraction or other and most likely proud of our ancestry and heritage. Why should that young lady be demeaned by someone who may not have achieved anything significant in her immature lifetime. Nastia said it truly and honestly. Too bad you cannot see the virtue in that.

Answer 15

Guess what, America is a melting pot.  Nastia is not the only person born in a different country and competes for the US.  Khatuna Lorig actually competed for the Unified Soviet team and Georgia back in 92, 96 and 2000.  She now competes for the US.  One of the table tennis team member competed for China in the past and is now competing for the US. Bernard Lagat is another example.  That is what makes America great.

Answer 16

shes competing for america she won the all around gold medal for uss

Answer 17

*yeah, its kinda a turn off for americans knowing that she speaks fluent russian and all her family is still in russia. she's not your typical american girl next door

*but she came her when she was little and was raised here, so i would think she know more about american culture, and still keeps her american citizenship

**i think that one reason why people favor shawn johnson, a true american girl from iowa

Answer 18

She's Russian.She was born in Moscow and raised in the USA

which i'm guessing she's russian but less american.but she's competing for the USA.

Answer 19

What's with people accusing others of being non-American or less American? I swear you are disgracing all Americans.

American means US citizen. It doesn't matter where she was born. She was talking about her heritage. Like I am Asian and I am proud of my Asian heritage, same with Irish, African, German and Italian heritage that many Americans have. Stop being so narrow-minded.

Even Michael Phelps was talking about his heritage when he was in the Ellis Island commercial.

Answer 20

Your question seems very inappropriate, this talented young lady may have Russian roots, but she is about as American as it gets. Your additional comment is also in poor taste. She deserves what she earned.    

Answer 21

Who cares if it doesn't seem American to you, I'll take the gold

Answer 22

I spend a lot of time at the gym where Nastia trains, and I can ASSURE you that she is very much an "all American Girl."  While I can understand that the quote you mention could sound a bit questionable taken like this out of context, give the girl a break.  Read the whole article and you'll see the point they're making is that like so many others in the US today Nastia is the bridge between her parents who are Russian first, and her own all American world.  She SHOULD be proud of her heritage - it's the kind of American dream this country is founded on!

As for the quote itself, it's no shock she inserted an "I guess..." and "Kind of like..." while talking.  In fact, considering most of the conversations I have with "American" teenagers, those phrases just prove that she IS an average American teen.

Nastia is an incredibly talented young woman who accomplished something amazing.  The fact that she is mature enough to recognize and credit her heritage at the same time she represents her country just goes to prove how mature she IS.  Think of all the athletes we keep hearing about who train and live in the US and then choose to compete for another country JUST during the Olympics -- I for one am VERY glad she and her family are here to represent the red-white-and blue.

Oh -- and just to be picky -- most AMERICANS know to capitalize the name of their country. ;)