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Posted on 7/26/21 at 8:40 am to Al Bundy Bulldog
Here's a story from the Baton Rouge newspaper that ran a couple of days ago:
LINK
LINK
quote:
“I expect a backlash for the Olympics, but I have a hard time understanding it.”
“They're not track people,” Greg Duplantis said of the critics. “They get 50,000 fans to a track meet in Europe. It's a big deal.”
quote:
While track and field is popular in Europe, in many parts of the United States, the sport is only noticed every four years because of Olympic fervor.
Mondo Duplantis understands the friction but would like a peaceful resolution.
“Lafayette made me the person that I am, and you know, I hope to get support from people there,” he said. “I'm going to try to make everyone in Lafayette proud and bring home a gold medal.”
Posted on 7/26/21 at 8:48 am to el gato
I don’t get the issue. He is a former LSU athlete competing on the national stage. So what if he’s doing it for another country. It’s a good thing for LSU’s exposure. Is that any different than Reath playing basketball for Australia? Or the other track and field athletes competing for other countries? I want all of them to do well. Of course I want the Americans to win as many medals as possible but I’m not going to be mad that a former LSU athlete wins a medal for another country.
Posted on 7/26/21 at 8:51 am to BPTiger
On the Top: 5, 1, and maybe 3
On the Bottom: 3, 1, 5
And then 3 bottom again.
On the Bottom: 3, 1, 5
And then 3 bottom again.
Posted on 7/26/21 at 8:52 am to Al Bundy Bulldog
quote:
Maybe to me this comes across as disrespect to that United States. Just my opinion but if he was my son I’d want him representing HIS country not Sweden. Best of luck to him regardless.
You would have a heart attack if you watched any major international soccer tournament (World Cup, Euros, etc.)
Posted on 7/26/21 at 9:17 am to Meauxjeaux
quote:
8am on a Monday morning. Turn down the hate, bro, it's a long week.
He’s not the one questioning a man’s patriotism over something he doesn’t even comprehend.
Posted on 7/26/21 at 9:18 am to nicholastiger
Would you rather hang out with Americans or Swedes?
Posted on 7/26/21 at 9:18 am to Al Bundy Bulldog
Track and field sports are much more popular and lucrative in Europe. He had the chance at an early age to compete for Sweden because he has dual citizenship, and he took it. The Swedes offered training and support and access to the European circuit. It's been a great benefit to Duplantis. I can't criticize his choice at all.
Posted on 7/26/21 at 9:30 am to TBoy
He had an option to represent US or Sweden in the Olympics....it came down to financially a much better deal to represent Sweden....MUCH better..
Posted on 7/26/21 at 9:47 am to geauxtigers33
quote:
I don’t get the issue. He is a former LSU athlete competing on the national stage. So what if he’s doing it for another country. It’s a good thing for LSU’s exposure. Is that any different than Reath playing basketball for Australia? Or the other track and field athletes competing for other countries? I want all of them to do well. Of course I want the Americans to win as many medals as possible but I’m not going to be mad that a former LSU athlete wins a medal for another country.
I think this is a reasonable post.
But, outside of the LSU connection, there's no reason to look favorably on this decision. I'll pull for him because of the LSU connection. But, he chose another country over the USA. I don't have to pretend he didn't.
The entire premise of the Olympics is to compete for your country. He's not competing for our country.
Posted on 7/26/21 at 9:49 am to Al Bundy Bulldog
He makes 10 times the money representing Sweden than he would representing the US.
Posted on 7/26/21 at 10:04 am to chew4219
He reps LSU, that is all that matters, his personal preference for country is his business.
Posted on 7/26/21 at 10:05 am to moneyg
quote:
But, outside of the LSU connection, there's no reason to look favorably on this decision. I'll pull for him because of the LSU connection. But, he chose another country over the USA. I don't have to pretend he didn't.
Of course. And I also don’t pull for the Yankees but I want DJ to play well because of the LSU connection. It’s the same concept.
Posted on 7/26/21 at 10:09 am to geauxtigers33
While I completely understand the move from a financial standpoint, it would be hard for me to compete for a country that is not my own. Sure, he may have duel citizenship and is permitted to compete for Sweeden. As I understand, his path to the olympics was easier competing for Sweeden. However, and maybe I'm old school, he's never lived anywhere but the United States. He should be representing his country, not his parents' country. I hope he does well, but I also feel he should be doing it under the American flag.
Posted on 7/26/21 at 10:10 am to Al Bundy Bulldog
Sure it is . 
Posted on 7/26/21 at 10:11 am to moneyg
quote:
The entire premise of the Olympics is to compete for your country. He's not competing for our country.
And you hate the people that represent this country because they’re “liberals,” lesbians, or have other political issues with our government that hasn’t treated them fairly.
You people are impossible to please. You want our Olympic team to be a bunch of white MAGA Patriots and screw everyone else.
Posted on 7/26/21 at 10:13 am to Al Bundy Bulldog
Wtf? Why wouldn’t he want to represent muh flag? He must be a Marxist
Posted on 7/26/21 at 10:16 am to lsufball19
quote:
He should be representing his country, not his parents' country.
He’s looking out for Mondo Duplantis. Like people have already said in Europe track and field is a big deal. He probably has much bigger and more lucrative endorsement deals being a pole vaulter in Sweden than he ever would being a pole vaulter here. If you want to be a professional track and field athlete the United States is not the place to do it. Just like it isn’t for soccer.
Posted on 7/26/21 at 10:17 am to lsufball19
Whether he’s under an American flag or not, I know That kids from Lafayette.
I personally count all born Americans competing for other countries as Americans. Considering there isn’t some team Olympics title for the country with most medals, and that’s all unofficial, I can Count however I want.
I personally count all born Americans competing for other countries as Americans. Considering there isn’t some team Olympics title for the country with most medals, and that’s all unofficial, I can Count however I want.
Posted on 7/26/21 at 10:23 am to geauxtigers33
quote:
He’s looking out for Mondo Duplantis. Like people have already said in Europe track and field is a big deal. He probably has much bigger and more lucrative endorsement deals being a pole vaulter in Sweden than he ever would being a pole vaulter here. If you want to be a professional track and field athlete the United States is not the place to do it. Just like it isn’t for soccer.
I don't understand why he can't compete professionally on the Euro track circuit while still competing for the United States in international events. United States soccer players that play professionally overseas still compete for the United States in international play. Soccer is a bad example.
And look, I said I understand the financial component in his decision. Doesn't mean that I also have to like the fact that he's a United States kid competing for another country. I also think many are overestimating how much track athletes get paid anywhere. It's not a lot. They all make the majority of their money off of endorsements. As far as medal payouts, almost all the countries paying more than the $50k range or less for a gold medal are small countries that never win anything. Italy is the onlky major player that pays a lot. They pay $150k for a gold medal. The US pays 33k for a gold which is at the upper end compared to most countries.
This post was edited on 7/26/21 at 10:34 am
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