Yes, 2009 NYC Marathon winner Meb Keflezighi is a U.S. citizen and therefore that makes him the first American to win the race in 27 years. American news outlets are falling all over themselves to talk this up. It’s a wonderful achievement, no doubt. We finally proved to the world that we’re better than Ethiopia at something.
But I can’t help but think about the one fact that most people are conveniently leaving out of the story. Keflezighi became a U.S. citizen in 1998. He was born in Eritrea. Which is located right next to…you guessed it…Ethiopia.
I suppose if you can’t beat’em, naturalize them.
American Who Won NYC Marathon Isn’t American Enough For Some People
Deadspin
American Meb Keflezighi won the New York City Marathon yesterday, which seemed pretty cool until a couple of wet blankets came along to remind everyone he’s only "technically" American.
CNBC’s Darren Rovell confesses that he’s not feeling the slightest bit patriotic today. He writes:
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.
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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.
That’s right. An American by Scantron. Meb can run around with Old Glory all he wants. Won’t change the fact he was born not just in Africa, but in an African country so damn un-American we made Ethiopia bomb the crap out of it for us. So, no, Rovell will not be waving the flag today, thank you very much. He’s waiting for an American to win this goddamn race. Someone who really represents these United States of ours. Maybe someone more like that fellow who won way back in 1982, the last time an American broke the tape in New York. Now there was a real American. Guy by the name of Alberto Salazar.
Who was born in Havana.
Send an email to Tommy Craggs, the author of this post, at craggs@deadspin.com.
Marathon’s Headline Win Is Empty
CNBC Sports Business Reporter
It’s a stunning headline: American Wins Men’s NYC Marathon For First Time Since ’82.
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Don Emmert | AFP | Getty Images
Meb Keflezighi of the US celebrates his victory in the New York City Marathon November 1, 2009 in New York
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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.
What is your point?? yes he is US citizen and and he won the race. ETHIOPIA has nothing to do with him or He has nothing to do with Ethiopia. Definitly He was originaly from the great nation of ERITREA, so does any other AMERICAN came from all over the world.
Please leave ETHIOPIA alone, they are still begging for food for the last 20 or more years.
Out of the ashes of your crude bombing, came an Eritrean to win the NY marathon!! He showed them the Eritrean culture of tenacity, perseverance and humbleness of a good character.
Like his great immigrant predecessors: Hamilton, Einstain, Kissigner, Albright.,Graham Bell, and to a certain degree the president Obama, who in their own way made america great, is entitled to accord credit and respect.
Fyi: Ethiopia ,is selling children, and you may acquire some to compete against the gallant Eritreans in your future marathons.
first of all you don’t have post this kind of emature comment .you suppose to know the meaning and definition of citizenship. otherwise, you need to change all the pass history, I don’t think you understand me.
he is an american, and America sims to claim the victory. after all who is American? to me it just who comes first to this blessd nation.