Your Opinion on Imported Athletes?

Question

Its interesting how in the Asian countries (primarily) all the athletes are natives from that country while most of the West has athletes that are imported.

For example, Nastia is Russian, trained by a Russian athlete a.k.a her father.

Some of America's track athletes couldn't even speak proper English.

Of course, when it comes to coaches, every country has coaches from all around the world.

Do you think it takes away from the purpose of the game when the athletes representing the country isn't really....from that country?

Answer 1

Nastia came to the US when she was a year old and has American citizenship. I'm fairly sure she's an American.

Answer 2

I don't get as mad when we have people come to our country and then compete because that is the way our country is designed.  We are supposed to be this huge melting pot and the land of opportunity etc.  The problem I have is when our people decide to go play for other countries.  I mean it's cool if you are like Yao Ming who is actually from China.  It's not cool when you are the one chick from the WNBA who is playing for Russia because they didn't even give her a tryout for the USA team (even though with her stats, she should have been offered at least a tryout).  

Answer 3

Nastia has US citizenship, so that is OK.

But yes, I agree with you, it takes away from the purpose of the game to buy out athletes.

But what irks me is when athletes go to other countries just to play on their team.  There should be a IOC rule that athletes can only compete for the country they carry a passport for.  This otherwise takes away from the Olympic spirit.

Which is why the baseball and basketball teams mean nothing to me and I don't watch them.

Answer 4

I don't think that if Olympians were born in one country and trained there, I don't think they should be able to go to another country and compete, for instance Kristy Coventry, born, raised, and trained in the U.S. but then moved to Zimbabwe and currently competes there.

Answer 5

It is what it is, if a country is a superpower and buys it's athletes so be it

Answer 6

The athletes can compete for any country they want to(as long as they are a citizen of that country), and no I don't believe it takes away the purpose of the games.

Answer 7

I already said this in another post and I am saying it again.If an athlete lests say one that was born in Russia moves to U.S.A and takes up American citizenship why on earth could not they compete for their new country.If Phelps was born in Russia then moved to U.S.A according to your rules he should not be competing for U.S.A yet he won the most medals.

Answer 8

athletes should compete for there country of origin inless they are unable to quelafy and or the event they do is not offered in that country

Answer 9

You'll find more of this in baseball than you will in the olympics.