From: Biniam Tekle (biniamt@dehai.org)
Date: Tue Nov 03 2009 - 07:44:26 EST
http://www.cnbc.com/id/33587668
Marathon's Headline Win Is Empty
Published: Monday, 2 Nov 2009 | 12:18 PM ET
Text Size <http://www.cnbc.com/id/33587668#><http://www.cnbc.com/id/33587668#>
By: Darren Rovell
CNBC Sports Business Reporter
It's a stunning headline: American Wins Men's NYC Marathon For First Time
Since '82.
Unfortunately, it's not as good as it sounds.
Meb Keflezighi, who won yesterday in New York, is technically American by
virtue of him becoming a citizen in 1998, but the fact that he's not
American-born takes away from the magnitude of the achievement the headline
implies.
Nationality in running counts. It's why many identify Kenya as the land of
the long distance champions.
As for the United States? Not so much.
It has been well-documented that since the mid-80's, Americans haven't had
much success in the marathon. Many cite lack of motivation as the root of
our troubles, as in our best athletes devote their lives to sports where
they can make big money instead of collecting the relatively small paychecks
that professional running offers. That, of course, is not the case with
African runners, who see in the same winner's check a lifetime full of
riches.
Given our disappointing results, embracing Keflezighi is understandable. But
Keflezighi's country of origin is Eritrea, a small country in Africa. He is
an American citizen thanks to taking a test and living in our country.
Nothing against Keflezighi, but he's like a ringer who you hire to work a
couple hours at your office so that you can win the executive softball
league.
The positive sign was that some American-born runners did extremely well in
yesterday's men's race.
If any of them stand on the top step of the podium in Central Park one day,
that's when I'll break out my red, white and blue.
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