Athletes with origins from other Countries

[avlar 453]

18 hours ago, copravolley said:

Who to Poland?

Boldyrev. He tried some countries.

[Grassmarket 4,026]

On 9/22/2025 at 9:51 PM, Orangehair43 said:

I don’t think there has been many who come through that route. Most Pacific Islanders players either moved to play or because they dad moved to play. 

Don't know about Union, but there's certainly a few in League who've got contracts with Army secondment.

[Dragon 2,026]

On 9/24/2025 at 1:33 PM, Grassmarket said:

Don't know about Union, but there's certainly a few in League who've got contracts with Army secondment.

Semesa Rokoduguni might be the only one in union

[dodge 1,040]

Sprinter Benji Richardson is transferring from South Africa to Ireland. 
 

He’s Irish born apparently. I didn’t know 

[mpjmcevoy 375]

On 9/24/2025 at 1:33 PM, Grassmarket said:

Don't know about Union, but there's certainly a few in League who've got contracts with Army secondment.

There's a strong tradition of Fijian army recruits turning up in English union.

[Grassmarket 4,026]

Talking of the NCAA, noticed that the entire New Mexico cross-country squad at the presitigious Nuttycombe invitationals last weekend was East African.  They won....

 

Samuel, Jepngetich Take Home MW Weekly Honors - New Mexico Lobos - Official Athletics Website

Edited October 21 by Grassmarket

[mpjmcevoy 375]

2 hours ago, dodge said:

Sprinter Benji Richardson is transferring from South Africa to Ireland. 
 

He’s Irish born apparently. I didn’t know 

I think the swap has to be reasonable in motivation - as in, for legitimate reasons, bot as in 'middle of the road' - so Benji, for example, yeah, it's odd, but it's legit, a genuine quirk of his personal history.

 

Obviously Ireland is a diaspora nation, and that diaspora story is culturally pretty important to us -  a real sense people were FORCED to leave, not just chose to, so I have very little problem with the 'grandparent' rule. No real problem with the marriage rule either, save only the sham marriage route.

 

I don't like the full mercenary route. I understand the attraction to the athlete but it just stinks really when a country buys an athlete who has no plausible connection whatsoever with the country. It makes you think, what's the point of international sport in that case?

 

Now, if you spend several years genuinely living  in the country before the switch, that's a bit different - at that point you're a genuine immigrant. But since I adore bundee aki, I might be biased!

 

i really don't like the pairs/ice dance figure skating system, I have to admit.