There has been a lot of discussion since Athens about foreign swimmers training in the United States. Most of them attend U.S. Universities, receive athletic scholarships, and compete at NCAA's. Some notable examples include Duje Draganja (Cal), Fred Bousquet and Kirsty Coventry (Auburn), Markus Rogan (Stanford), and the South African sprinters (Arizona). Some train in the U.S., but don't compete for a university (Inge de Bruijn). All of these athletes benefit from U.S. coaching, from training with U.S. swimmers, and in some cases, from financial support provided by U.S. entities (athletic scholarships). They all turn around and then win medals for other countries.
A couple questions: 1) What do you think about this arrangement generally? 2) Is it of benefit or detriment to U.S. swimming to have these foreign athletes training and competing here? 3) Should we be giving athletic scholarships, which are a scarce resource in swimming, to foreign athletes who will represent their own countries internationally instead of U.S.-born swimmers who will represent us internationally?
I'm sure there are other issues, but these come directly to mind.
Former Member
This is going back a little in this thread. Sorry, but I'm way behind in my e-mail.
When did anyone hear about the last great medical breakthrough in countries with socialized medicine?
And one of the reasons for our astronomical health care costs has to do with outrageous court settlements. I live in a county where a number of these have been handed out and guess what? A huge number of area doctors left the county. It's become a real problem for us. I understand malpractice and the can of worms this opens up, but there needs to be some sort of cap.
As for illegal immigrants... with our imperfect healthcare and as was mentioned before, anyone is treated - even those not paying taxes, which is putting more stress on our already over-burdened system.
Does anyone know of U.S. citizens training in other countries? I've heard of it for other sports, but I'm not aware of this practice taking place in swimming?
Former Member
Peter Cruise and Geochuck,
Look, no one is really talking about Canadians as being foriegners in the US.
Afterall...... Canada is the 51st state.... :-)
John Smith
Former Member
Mad cow ??? The hidden disease of the USA cows. The US tests all suspected cases. The results are always lost.
Former Member
Originally posted by laineybug
"Maryyyyyyyy, and others, I certainly agree that foreign students bring a great diversity and promote greater understanding of different cultures and races on college and university campuses. I even picked an apartment in Athens because the children who lived there went to an elementary school where there was a very high enrollment of the children of foreign students. I wanted my daughter to have the experience of knowing children from other countries. But, campus diversity isn't the question really. The question is: are American institutes of higher education denying our students scholarships because they give them to foreign students? If so, is this right? In my opinion, campus diversity isn't worth the cost of an athletic scholarship going to a foreign student.
"There must be a payback for the universities, otherwise, I don't think they'd do it..."
anyway, the way most of you are going on about the issue, if I were a foreign student and read this, it would be enough to keep me away from the States...
Would you, therefore, suggest that universities reject donations or tax dollars from foreign corporations?
Former Member
My best friend lives in Denver. He had already faxed me the story. I truly believe that schools can only be responsbile to them selves. If they wast to give scholarships to non-USA citizens, fine by me. I just talked to a friend. He son graduated from high school this spring. he applied to many US colleges. The best deal he got was from McGill in Canada and Truman State in Missouri. He is going to Truman on an academic scholarship.
Maybe we should revert to old times when no one got scholarships of any kind and only those who are extremely wealthy or very hard workers can go to college. I only got $1,000 for my freshman year at DePauw and $1,000 for my senoir year at Knox. I worked 60 hour weeks at a state mental health facility to pay my tuition. I also tried to swim. It was truly a learning experience. For those of you who don't know both Knox & DePauw are in the top 100 colleges/universities in the nation according to US News. I graduated with a high B average. So many people waste so much tiem in college. I was even able to drink & participate in Flunk Day! It really bothers me when people *** about scholarships at state schools. Is the complaining really disguised racism or other negative nationalistic thoughts?
Former Member
Gee John, I guess you could make me a dandy deal on some swampland (with a view), eh?
Former Member
Peter,
We will gladly swap you Montana, North Dakota and the Upper Pennisula of Michigan for Ontario. Hell, these days we may throw in Guantanamo just to sweeten the deal.
John Smith
Geek,
- How about US companies paying taxes in foreign countries, doesn't that based on your argument then "entitle" US athletes to receive finacial support in their universities or clubs? Yes, some US athletes train oversees but I doubt that they aren't paying for that oppurtunity.
- Also, still waiting for you to stop "throwing bombs" and instead answer one of my questions? Name another country anywhere in the world that provides athletic scholorships to US swimmers? track & field? how about hockey? Name any other country in the world that provides free health sevices, education and drivers licenses to "illegal" immigrants?
Former Member
re the estimable GoodSmith mistaking Canada for the 51st state: well I was busy mistaking several of the northwest states as being potential provinces of Canada, considering prevailing political views therein esp. regarding medical care, drug costs & the fact that Canada is rapidly becoming America's major source of oil & natural gas. Of course GoodSmith is probably severely oxygen-depleted (still) from his 1000yard excellent adventure...
