Jillian Schwartz to compete for Israel

[VaultNinja]

We won the most in the only sport that counts - Athletics (Track and Field).

My bad Bubba, I didn't think we won the most medals in athletics in the Last Olympics, I must have been confused with the overall count for all sports.

I think there are a few reasons for that. Population being one, opportunity being another. We do complain a lot about our system but you can't deny that we have a huge history of success. The main reason being in my opinion is heart. We had success during the AAU era, we are having great success now. I think US athletes are tenacious, and if they want something bad enough they will make whatever sacrifices necessary to get it. However, I don't like the system now, and I think things are getting worse, not better. I don't think we will win the most medals in Athletics in the next Olympics unless major changes are made.
That being said. Jill made those sacrifices for years, and was a great success. Now she wants to continue doing what she loves without having to work 40 hours a week. No I don't think she's doing it to "make teams" or have an easy chance at International competition. She has been there and done that. She has proven she can be at that level in the US or any other country.
If Nike pays you to wear there Jersey and Adidas wont, why would you wear Adidas?
If Israel pays you to wear there Jersey and the US wont, why would you wear US?

[VaultNinja]

[quote="VaultLove"]There is not much money in Israel either. She would need to step it up. There will only be two US ladies ranked World Top 10. That does not include Jillian. She switching to have a chance at teams. Then again, she retired before. Who knows what to expect. Performance is key. Mensil also complained about lack of support. He then went out and made a difference by claiming World Silver.[quote]

Step it up? Laughable! She's not going to Israel to make money at meets. They are paying her a salary. She probably only needs to go to the country once a year for outdoor nationals. Still though if she did go, I'm assuming she can break there national record from her short run, with her eyes closed, right handed (she's a lefty for those of you that don't know). It's 4.03m.

And I would ask Romain if winning world silver got him any support? Sure it was a sweet pay day $30,000us if I'm not mistaken. But think of that on a Annual level. $30,000 a year, weak. You train and taper for years preparing for a meet of that caliber, then you get $60,000 if you win. You can make more than that in a year working construction. I heard of 2 Olympic medalists who have 3 roommates because they can't even afford a place of there own. Track and field is a horribly run business for the athletes. Maybe its actually an extremely well run business for others.........
For some reason it reminds me of sweat shops. Maybe IAAF and USATF are getting business tips from Nike.
I think the sport will vanish before it will ever change.

[VaultLove]

Hopefully, there will not be a laugh as several of the Russian women who are Jewish may also immigrate. Thing is, they are consistant with marks of 4.60. They also have the problem of having to make a difficult team. I believe, Russia has the most women in 2009 over 4.55?

As for Romain, 30k is not much in Bordeaux with two children to support.

That is all...............

[quote="VaultNinja"
Step it up? Laughable! She's not going to Israel to make money at meets. They are paying her a salary. She probably only needs to go to the country once a year for outdoor nationals. Still though if she did go, I'm assuming she can break there national record from her short run, with her eyes closed, right handed (she's a lefty for those of you that don't know). It's 4.03m.

And I would ask Romain if winning world silver got him any support? Sure it was a sweet pay day $30,000us if I'm not mistaken. But think of that on a Annual level. $30,000 a year, weak. You train and taper for years preparing for a meet of that caliber, then you get $60,000 if you win. You can make more than that in a year working construction. I heard of 2 Olympic medalists who have 3 roommates because they can't even afford a place of there own. Track and field is a horribly run business for the athletes. Maybe its actually an extremely well run business for others.........
For some reason it reminds me of sweat shops. Maybe IAAF and USATF are getting business tips from Nike.
I think the sport will vanish before it will ever change.[/quote]

[VaultNinja]

They're picking up Russians too? Like who? I thought it was Australia's job to pick up all the Russian vault strays
Sounds like some of these Division 1 schools in the US should get recruiting tips from Israel.
Haha!!! We're going to have to start calling the IAAF the NCAA as countries are becoming more like schools, recruiting from other countries. Hell the US even tried it right before 2008 since they couldn't get a decent distance runner after dumping the majority of there development money into the distance events for 4 years, and yielding no medal contenders, they just grab a couple guys from other countries, throw citizenship at em, and pray for a medal. What a joke this sport is becoming, maybe I'll get some investors and start my own country, recruit a ton of talent from all over the world to whip all your a-ss-es at the next Olympics. I'll call it country Awesomeness!
Am I the only one who thinks this is hilarious? "I feel like I'm taking crazy pills."

Hopefully, there will not be a laugh as several of the Russian women who are Jewish may also immigrate. Thing is, they are consistant with marks of 4.60. They also have the problem of having to make a difficult team. I believe, Russia has the most women in 2009 over 4.55?

As for Romain, 30k is not much in Bordeaux with two children to support.

That is all...............

[quote="VaultNinja"
Step it up? Laughable! She's not going to Israel to make money at meets. They are paying her a salary. She probably only needs to go to the country once a year for outdoor nationals. Still though if she did go, I'm assuming she can break there national record from her short run, with her eyes closed, right handed (she's a lefty for those of you that don't know). It's 4.03m.

And I would ask Romain if winning world silver got him any support? Sure it was a sweet pay day $30,000us if I'm not mistaken. But think of that on a Annual level. $30,000 a year, weak. You train and taper for years preparing for a meet of that caliber, then you get $60,000 if you win. You can make more than that in a year working construction. I heard of 2 Olympic medalists who have 3 roommates because they can't even afford a place of there own. Track and field is a horribly run business for the athletes. Maybe its actually an extremely well run business for others.........
For some reason it reminds me of sweat shops. Maybe IAAF and USATF are getting business tips from Nike.
I think the sport will vanish before it will ever change.

[/quote]

[VaultNinja]

I surprised England isn't getting in on this recruiting game since they host the next games.......
Oh yeah, that's right, they already snatched up Dan Pfaff cause the US couldn't cough up a decent salary for an amazing coach.

[rainbowgirl28]

OK in fairness, Jillian is Jewish and it's not like it's completely random that she is competing for Israel. It's not comparable to Africans competing for Arab countries (IMO).

[dj]

Good morning,

I personally feel Jillian should continue to jump for the US, all though it is not our choice or our business.

Jillian jumped 4.72 in 2008 and based on some recent film analyis it is easy to see she could jump (with a 14-7/4.46m grip) in the 16 foot/4.85 range now and with some very minor adjustments, like use of her athleticism and speed, she could jump 5 meters.

AND in defense of Saudi Arabia, every athlete I had and that competed for Saudi Arabia was Saudi born and raised. Including the 400 meter hurdle silver medalist from 2000, sidney, the three 8.30 plus long jumpers, the 1:43 - 800 meter run, the 1:46 junior 800 meter runner that will compete at a major university in the states next year, the 7641 point 21 year old decathlete that I coached for the past year and a half.

All Saudi blood and Saudi parents…

dj

[Pogo Stick]

I surprised England isn't getting in on this recruiting game since they host the next games.......
Oh yeah, that's right, they already snatched up Dan Pfaff cause the US couldn't cough up a decent salary for an amazing coach.

They've also picked Kevin Tyler and Derek Evely two Tyler Christopher coaches (400m bronze iat world championship in Helsinki 2005, gold at 2008 IAAF World Indoor Championships), as well as few other Canadian coaches.

[KLocke]

Accept this message in the spirit in which intended. The WHOLE WORLD is a BUSINESS. Payments will always be distributed to get the best scientist, doctors, coaches or athletes. When Europeans sailed over in 1600's? Separatist came and colonized America. I expect you would be bothered, VaultNinja if you are of indigenous *native decent? Historically, successful entities have gone the extra length to insure success.

New immigrants, in my opinion are not different than the Mayflower folks. It is all business. If an athlete chooses Israel, Australia or America to avoid being a BROKE athlete, I applaud them. It is not a joke, nor hilarious. It is indeed BUSINESS.

Now, if our sport operated similar the NFL, NBA or MLB business do it may not appear as shocking to you. It is not uncommon for those teams to have Japanese players,Dominican, Eastern European players. They assimilate quite well within the various leagues.

KLocke

[quote="VaultNinja"]
Sounds like some of these Division 1 schools in the US should get recruiting tips from Israel.
Haha!!! We're going to have to start calling the IAAF the NCAA as countries are becoming more like schools, recruiting from other countries. Hell the US even tried it right before 2008 since they couldn't get a decent distance runner after dumping the majority of there development money into the distance events for 4 years, and yielding no medal contenders, they just grab a couple guys from other countries, throw citizenship at em, and pray for a medal. What a joke this sport is becoming, maybe I'll get some investors and start my own country, recruit a ton of talent from all over the world to whip all your a-ss-es at the next Olympics. I'll call it country Awesomeness!
Am I the only one who thinks this is hilarious? "I feel like I'm taking crazy pills."

[VaultNinja]

If you read the whole thread, I feel sorry for you and apologize for my rambling, but you would have seen that I applaud them as well. I think that it is a great opportunity if you can get it, and it takes guts to stop competing for your home nation in further pursuit of a dream.
I just think that all the "country recruiting" going on is funny, but I guess my sense of humor can be misunderstood at times. I do find myself laughing pretty hard in the movies when the rest of the room is quiet.... And sighting similarities to these Athlete swaps, too other industry and business is interesting and fun for me. I think we can learn and grow from it greatly if we can keep an open mind and pay attention. I'm not bothered by any of it. But relating the European conquering of a land, that already belonged too native tribes, too athletes switching citizenship seems like it could be bothersome to others. That's not what I would call immigration, it was more like oppression and occupation. However I understand you relating it too the mad ambition of nations in the past and present, and think I get your point.
From a business perspective, I'm hoping in the long run all this bouncing around of athletes strengthens the sport, and makes some countries realize they need to create a better national support system to keep there native born athletes around. The more athletes that leave the US, the better in my opinion. They are probably pioneering a greater structure for there countrymen following in there footsteps. Cause the business of track and field on an International level, seems to leave the desk jockeys in Jaguars, and the athletes on bicycles. Managing athletes in this sport must be a daunting task when your trying to find money for clients that isn't there.

Accept this message in the spirit in which intended. The WHOLE WORLD is a BUSINESS. Payments will always be distributed to get the best scientist, doctors, coaches or athletes. When Europeans sailed over in 1600's? Separatist came and colonized America. I expect you would be bothered, VaultNinja if you are of indigenous *native decent? Historically, successful entities have gone the extra length to insure success.

New immigrants, in my opinion are not different than the Mayflower folks. It is all business. If an athlete chooses Israel, Australia or America to avoid being a BROKE athlete, I applaud them. It is not a joke, nor hilarious. It is indeed BUSINESS.

Now, if our sport operated similar the NFL, NBA or MLB business do it may not appear as shocking to you. It is not uncommon for those teams to have Japanese players,Dominican, Eastern European players. They assimilate quite well within the various leagues.

KLocke

Sounds like some of these Division 1 schools in the US should get recruiting tips from Israel.
Haha!!! We're going to have to start calling the IAAF the NCAA as countries are becoming more like schools, recruiting from other countries. Hell the US even tried it right before 2008 since they couldn't get a decent distance runner after dumping the majority of there development money into the distance events for 4 years, and yielding no medal contenders, they just grab a couple guys from other countries, throw citizenship at em, and pray for a medal. What a joke this sport is becoming, maybe I'll get some investors and start my own country, recruit a ton of talent from all over the world to whip all your a-ss-es at the next Olympics. I'll call it country Awesomeness!
Am I the only one who thinks this is hilarious? "I feel like I'm taking crazy pills."