Buying Athletes/Swimmers?

Paul, LinsayNB: Its my understanding that the IOC has allowed athletes to have dual citizenship and to declare to choose which nation they which to represent in the Olympics. People like Martin Zubero and Markus Rogan come to mind who have done that in the past. If the country allows dual citizenship then its ok. I am sure Qater will allow it and it can be negotiated in the financial contract. I am not sure if Duje Draganja is a complete citizen of Qater or a dual citizen of both Qater and Croatia and I didn't see anything in the press about it. Swimmers have been able to change Nationalities for years but now its been more frequently. About the only person I know who has done that here in the USA is USMS own Ron Karnaagh, who was on the US Olympic team in 1992 and now has dual citizenship with Poland and represents them. I didn't hear or read anything that he did it for major bucks. So I don't think yet there has been anybody thats gone for a major financial package. The IOC will do nothing to stop this because a precedent was set in the sport of track when Kenya's Stephen Cherono, the World Record holder in the 3000 meter steeplechase was allowed and approved to change his allegiance and compete for Qater. He also changed his name to Said Saaeef Shaheen. He now receives a lifetime salary of $1000 per month. With this done successfully in track, Qater is moving into swimming. Qater knows that great swimmers come with a price tag and they will offer Phelps/Beard like cash to lure the best. In fact, Rolland Schoeman got the Qater offer in an e-mail message and he said it came out of the blue. He was shocked and tempted to take it because it was a lot of money and it was guaranteed. As part of the lure, both Schoeman and Neethling and several others were invited to Qater as a training trip to see the country and swim in the best facilities with other elite athletes. They didn't go. The FINA rule is the 1 year residency regulation. But it can be waived if officials from both countries agree to drop it. So big money will be allowed to be thrown around to attract the best swimmers. Because swimming is now a professional sport, a swimmer will be allowed to follow the money just like they do in another sports like international baseball players, NBA players, etc. Why should Olympic athletes be denied the same choice? Apparently the IOC sees that its ok and line with what professional leagues are doing with free agency. With this allowing to happen, it would render competition between countries meaningless and Nationalism would not exist in the true sense of the word at the Olympics. Corporate sponsorship of the games which has become overly commericalized would then have rich nations like Qater in the Olympic picture that would not have been there in the first place providing major funds for athletes as a second source of income. I am sure that the IOC and the major sports federations will get some kind of financial incentives out of this so everyone leaves the table rich and happy.

Paul, LinsayNB: Its my understanding that the IOC has allowed athletes to have dual citizenship and to declare to choose which nation they which to represent in the Olympics. People like Martin Zubero and Markus Rogan come to mind who have done that in the past. If the country allows dual citizenship then its ok. I am sure Qater will allow it and it can be negotiated in the financial contract. I am not sure if Duje Draganja is a complete citizen of Qater or a dual citizen of both Qater and Croatia and I didn't see anything in the press about it. Swimmers have been able to change Nationalities for years but now its been more frequently. About the only person I know who has done that here in the USA is USMS own Ron Karnaagh, who was on the US Olympic team in 1992 and now has dual citizenship with Poland and represents them. I didn't hear or read anything that he did it for major bucks. So I don't think yet there has been anybody thats gone for a major financial package. The IOC will do nothing to stop this because a precedent was set in the sport of track when Kenya's Stephen Cherono, the World Record holder in the 3000 meter steeplechase was allowed and approved to change his allegiance and compete for Qater. He also changed his name to Said Saaeef Shaheen. He now receives a lifetime salary of $1000 per month. With this done successfully in track, Qater is moving into swimming. Qater knows that great swimmers come with a price tag and they will offer Phelps/Beard like cash to lure the best. In fact, Rolland Schoeman got the Qater offer in an e-mail message and he said it came out of the blue. He was shocked and tempted to take it because it was a lot of money and it was guaranteed. As part of the lure, both Schoeman and Neethling and several others were invited to Qater as a training trip to see the country and swim in the best facilities with other elite athletes. They didn't go. The FINA rule is the 1 year residency regulation. But it can be waived if officials from both countries agree to drop it. So big money will be allowed to be thrown around to attract the best swimmers. Because swimming is now a professional sport, a swimmer will be allowed to follow the money just like they do in another sports like international baseball players, NBA players, etc. Why should Olympic athletes be denied the same choice? Apparently the IOC sees that its ok and line with what professional leagues are doing with free agency. With this allowing to happen, it would render competition between countries meaningless and Nationalism would not exist in the true sense of the word at the Olympics. Corporate sponsorship of the games which has become overly commericalized would then have rich nations like Qater in the Olympic picture that would not have been there in the first place providing major funds for athletes as a second source of income. I am sure that the IOC and the major sports federations will get some kind of financial incentives out of this so everyone leaves the table rich and happy.