RBY to compete for Mexico in Olympic quest
- Thread starter GregPickel
- Start date
Not a fan of Americans representing another country in the olympics.
Olympic weights differ than the ones used in world competitions (10 weight classes). There are only 6 Olympic weight classes which makes it tough even for someone as talented as RBY when his typical weight is right in the middle of 2 Olympic weight classes. As we know he wrestled 133 pounds in college. The Olympic 57 kg weight class equals about 125 pounds while the next higher weight class is 65kg is about 143 pounds. Can not be easy for someone like him who appears to have so little body fat already to go down 8 pounds! Good luck RBY-stay healthy!!
He was mostly raised by his grandparents, who were born in Mexico. Likely that figured in his decision. I wish him the best, but will root for the American, even if he’s from Iowa! 
The important thing is he’ll remain in the NLWC. Franklin Gomez did the same and helped out our college wrestlers daily. Go RBY.
I’ll root for RBY unless he’s wrestling a Penn St’er, maybe even then I’d root for RBY. Got great joy watching him wrestleHe was mostly raised by his grandparents, who were born in Mexico. Likely that figured in his decision. I wish him the best, but will root for the American, even if he’s from Iowa!
Why not? It's their dream, not yours or mine.
Besides, ever notice the number of Spaniards, Italians, French, Germans, and Poles whose names end in "v"?
I believe that the Olympics is a venue to show national pride. Americans should represent America. It's just my opinion, you don't have to agree.
Fine, but then allow a country to send more than just one (or X number) athelete. If I am 2nd best wrestler globally (see Bo Nickal) why should I be dissed from Oly participation b/c the #1 guy is in my country (see D Taylor). Friggin’ Amine got a bronze for San Marino (as a US citizen) when he couldn’t hold Bo’s jock.
I think that the best of each country, who are truly from that country, should compete head to head in the Olympics. I understand that it sucks to be the 2nd best wrestler and not having a chance to represent your country. I understand that it's a lifelong goal for people to get to the Olympics. I just think the Olympics are more about national pride than personal ambition. There are other venues to compete. Going country shopping just so you can compete doesn't sit well with me. Obviously I don't think Amine should have represented another country either.
Like I said, it was my opinion. I am not asking you to agree with it.
The Olympic charter states, "The Olympic Games are competitions between athletes in individual or team events and not between countries..." (Chap 1, Art 6).
This is my opinion and I appreciate yours. And I know many people that would agree with you and I have in the past as well.
I do not think the IOC has lived up to that statement in its charter, but I do think it would be awesome if somehow the best athletes in their sport participated in the games reguardless of the country that issued their passport.
If the top 10 altheles in a given sport are from the same country, and only one goes to the Olympics, the Olympics get watered down pretty quickly.
I think it would be great if the Olympics were a giant open competition, but logistically that is impossible. In a way it is that, but the qualifiers are "seaded" in their country not globally.
While the Olympics is and almost always has been a source of national pride (for any country that has participated) I think it would be better if we could just celebrate sport and not the country that the athletes train/live under.
I hear you. Although I would float the idea that if it wasn’t about national pride, not to many would watch most of the games.
in the end, it is what it is.
I agree with that. And it is probably why the IOC has failed at living up to the charter. Money talks.
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