Unless you're into running, you may not have heard of Meb Keflezighi. Meb is a superstar in the distance running world. He was born in Eritrea, but has lived in the U.S. since he was 12. Last year he took the silver medal in the Marathon at Athens. This was the first time since 1976 that an American man had made the top ten. He also holds the U.S. record for the 10K.
What appalls me about all this is that Meb's country refuses to claim him as her own. Oh, I don't mean officially. Officially, he is a citizen of the United States. When he won the silver at Athens, it was the American flag that was raised. Nevertheless, reporters, officials and fans have a hard time recognizing the huge contributions Meb has made and is making to U.S. distance running.
Part of the problem may be that Meb has been known to carry both an American and Eritrean flag. Meb, apparently, has not forgotten his past. Here's a quote from the September 2005 issue of Runner's World:
"I could just carry the U.S. flag, but something else is built into me—the war, my dad, the journey. It's the path that took me here. I can't just delete it."
In 1981, Meb's father walked 150 miles to the Sudan in order to find a better home for his wife and 6 kids. He ended up in Italy, where his family eventually joined him. From there, they made the long journey to San Diego, where Meb grew up. Is it wrong for Meb to honor his past? To acknowledge his roots? Does that make him un-American?
At a press conference after the Athens marathon, Meb is quoted as saying, "USA running is back. Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful." It makes me sad that the country he so excitedly claims might not accept him.
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