Somali Commentator in a Marathon

[Abtigiis]

I heard this story. A somali was running in a marathon race. As you would expect, the guy started running as if the event is a 100M and escaped very early. At that stage, the excited somali commentator started saying " Somalia ayaa aduungii hogaaminaysa, inagaa hormood ah, waa guul, waa guul".....

 

After few kms, the serious runners caught up with the somali joke. He soon begun to mingle with the other runners. At which stage, the patriotic commentator adopted this new line,," Somalia dadkeeda ayey ku dhex jirtaa, dadkaa ilaahay ayaa laga mid ahaadaa, lagamana horeeyo, lagama danbeeyo, ..."

 

Again as you would expect, the guy started doing the Mohamed thing and started to chase the other runners from distance. The commentator's tone now turned, "Aduunka ayaan dabada ka jirnaa oo eryeynaynaa, waa mahad alle, waan baacsanaynaa"...

 

The performance of the joke Somali athletes reminded me of this story.

[Che -Guevara]

I am still fasting and will hence kept my comments to myself!

[Abtigiis]

Is this upsetting too? Or is it about the poster?

[Che -Guevara]

^It is your silliness ninyahow-expecting kids dodging bullets with no facilities and trainers to perform. It's about context mate.

 

In any case, Jigjiga is peaceful place, surely you could have fielded one long-feet?

[Abtigiis]

There are countires faring worse who did send better athlets. No one is ducking bullets, they could have checked stable parts of somalia to find some better ones. I am sick of this excuse to deodorize failure and mediocrity.

[Che -Guevara]

What facilities do they stable parts have? Are there any doctors, trainers, nutritionists, and who will pay their expenses?

[Abtigiis]

Adeer, you seem to be immersed in western analysis. All the things you mentioned do not stop inherent talent from shining. All the Ethios win games at the start without having those facilities at the national championships. I know there must be one or two good talent in Somalia. Ahmed Saleh of Djibouti is a case in point when we talk of talent. Yes, all the things you highlighted are necessary but only as supplements to real talent. All of those things cannot make Zamzam and Moh winners. They say artificial intelligence cannot undo natural stu.pid.ity and certainly artificial things cannot bring out a non-existent talent!

[Che -Guevara]

Okay pluck someone from any town Somalia and see if he could compete Mo Farah. While you are at it, see if you can find that can take on Bolt.

[Blessed]

I'm with Che. Somaalis have a lot of potential but lack of facilities and also and more importantly a culture that values sports. To Somalis you're nothing until you win Gold. Legends aren't made over night! These poor kids didn't even have an opportunity to participate in a competition -- sending them to the Olympics to race against regional and world leaders was unfair but at least Somalis are present.. it's a start!

[STOIC]

I think the blame points back to the organizing committee.Nothing personal about the poor girl and the guy that showed up the Olympics only to survive some very discouraging impressions on the world stage. How did they made the selection of who was to be representing Somalia? It is a noble and even exalted opportunity to represent your country in the world stage.I can't be sure that they couldn't even held a qualifying competition in Mogadishu for all well bodied Somalis that wanted to compete.After seeing the dismal result of the poor girl i think any sane Somali has the right to be transported from time to time in questioning the Olympic committee (if there is even one in Somalia)

Equipment and facilities are of course dead give away of the current situation Somalia is in, but it shouldn't have hindered to find a well bodied Somalis that can decently compete.

[Che -Guevara]

Dear Stoic....You do realize you are talking about a country whose president was cooped up in one building and could only travel to the airport under foreign escort-expecting Somali Olympics Committee to show good governance and have foresight to prepare players is just unrealistic. Let's get viable Government and disarm the teenagers so they could have time to run.

[Libaax-Sankataabte]

How did they made the selection of who was to be representing Somalia?

STOIC, that is the million dollar question.

[STOIC]

Che, I see your point, but it would be damned if we read some official reports that the committee didn't do their work.It doesn't matter the state the country is in right now for there are peaceful places like Puntland that could have held a qualifying rounds.It seems probable that the committee just made a hasty decision without at least doing their homework.If we don't question them now we will forcibly made to accept their lackluster pick 2016 when peace comes in the future.

[Taleexi]

The athletes (Zamzam & Mohamed) performed at their best and we should acknowledge for it but the selection process is questionable. However, Somalia has a great potential for the track and field - but the means are lacking.

[NGONGE]

This is not the world championships. It's the OLYMPICS!

 

Saudi Arabia sent their first woman there and she lost her Judo contest within 90 seconds. Qatar's girl stopped halfway through her race and left the stadium on a wheelchair. Niger (the african country) sent a rower that was so slow even A&T could probably beat him. Heck, Japan sent a 71 year old in the dressage competition! The examples are many.

 

Somalia, in its current state, was never likely to send a team of world beaters. It is all about representation. This is and has always been the olympic spirit.

 

Most of you must have heard about the popular expression that goes "it's not the winning but the taking part". Though I wonder how many of you knew that this phrase is mostly attributed to the founder of the modern olympics.

 

p.s.

A&T's story is believable too; Somalido waa "Che" meedhan.