Does it bother you?

United States
August 19, 2008 8:32am CST
That so many olympic athletes train, go to school in, and even work in the USA, but are representing another country in the Olympics. Perfect example is Yi Jianlian who plays in the NBA for the New Jersey Nets, yet he is representing China in the olympics. Understandably, he's not an American citizen, but does it seem fair that he is playing against his teammates right now? Does it seem fair that he is earning OUR money, but can play against our country? Tell me your thoughts on this.
1 person likes this
5 responses
@Barb42 (4214)
• United States
19 Aug 08
I've thought about it for a few times. But then, you have to look at people like Shawn Johnson whose coach is really a Chinese, yet he lives in the US and coaches here. Then, there is the gold medal winner for the gymnastics. She was born in Moscow and her whole family now lives in Texas and they are really Russian. So I guess it could go either way.
• United States
19 Aug 08
Yes that's true. Nastia Liukin's father was a gymnast for the Russians, and now she's representing the US.
@Barb42 (4214)
• United States
19 Aug 08
I really felt bad for her last night. Everybody knows she should have gotten the gold medal. She was SO much better than the Chinese girl.
• United States
19 Aug 08
Hi Barb42, I have to agree with you. She should have got the Gold. This is the second time that the Chinese have got a medal that they should not have!
• United States
19 Aug 08
I totally agree with and that and do not believe that it is fair for someone to play with their own country but they are now residing in America. Like Manu Ginobili, for the San Antonio, Spurs he isn't playing for America either, and that upsets me.
@Barb42 (4214)
• United States
19 Aug 08
Where does that leave the Americans who want to represent the US but aren't allowed? We have a great player from the US who is on the Russian team because America's olympic team wouldn't let her play for them. So she went out and found someone who wanted her to play. She is truly an American, but she's representing Russia in the Olympics because she felt this was her last time to be at the age of competition.
@cripfemme (7698)
• United States
19 Aug 08
It doesn't bother me. If you have citizenship in another country, I think it's fine you represent them. What I have an issue with is people who don't really have ties with a nation representing them in the Olympics. For example, there is this American swimmer whose parents were from Serbia. So, he's eligible to swim for them, even if he's not a citizen and has never lived there. That bothers me!
• United States
19 Aug 08
I can see your point. And yes it does bother me. It bother me that lots of people in the USA are bearly making enough money to just cover modest living needs. and Others can come here and get a huge Paycheck. That takes away from someone Born here. I tell things are just messed up any more! I agree that he should not earn money from here and represent China.
@shamzy18 (2316)
19 Aug 08
yeah but every one is all over the place someone who used to be a US citizen may be living in china right now. Its not only US citizens representing other coutries, it happens most places. so every country can argue that is it right that they are earning here but representing some other country. In my opinion you should have the right to represent any country you want. He is not the only person doing this there are tohers too and if every one can do that so it is not a problem. It is not going against any rules or anything so it is ok.
• United States
19 Aug 08
I know that there are no rules for this, and that he's not the only one, I was just using that as an example. It just seems odd to me, it's okay to take our money, but when it comes time to represent.. we're not good enough?