why cant foreign born citizens participate on the u.s Olympic team?
439042
I think they can. They must be American citizens only and must be good athletes. :)
102927
Generally you have to meet a standard performance at a sanctioned meet or road race to qualify for the trials. In some cases, the trials may invite individuals who haven't met the standard in order to get enough competitors for an event.\n\nThere are usually A and B qualifying standards. Both get you an invitation to the Olympic trials. If you meet B standard but not the A, you pay your own way.\n\nTo make the team, you have to be one of the top finishers at the trials. \n\nBefore the Olympic games, you have to meet an Olympic standard. The U.S. gets to have one competitor in each event, even if they haven't met the standard. To get multiple people in an event, they all have to have met the standard.
1106806
You dont have to be born there but need to have citizenship. Eg The Brazillian guy who plays for Japan..
123861
see  \nhttp://www.olympic-usa.org/12181_19096.htm
381655
The USA has the talent but have not played together as a team yet. It will take a huge effort to get out of our group but if we do, I thimk we can go far.
491598
You're not a failure.  You succeeded in sticking with something and giving it your best shot.  Plus you probably managed to keep yourself in very good shape which is a difficult enough thing to do nowadays.  There are so few places available for people to compete in the Olympics.  Just being close to qualifying puts you at a very high level of achievement compared to the average Joe.  Be proud of your accomplishments and use what you have learned from these in the other areas of your life.  The Olympics is not the only measure of a man (or woman).
43813
The purpose, as stated by the lottery literature, is to "expand the nationalities" that make up the USA.  Hence, citizens of countries that are already well represented in the US population, such as England and Mexico, do not qualify for the lottery.
295755
New York is in the early stages for bidding for the 2016 Olympics. The thing that beat them last time was the unworkable stadium in Manhattan. Now, Queens is trying to get NYC back in the hunt. Plus, I would keep checking the US Olympic Committee Website because they nominate which city the US will put up to the Intern'l Olympic Committee,
349491
Americans, in general, are not too interested in soccer even if US is playing.  The exception are the many Imigrants who will watch and root for their birth country's team.
153678
Because people like you dont understand the importance of them.  These are the world's best athletes all competing together. Many people dream of competing in these games. It is also a symbol of peace and cooperation between all participating nations.
945136
Unfortunately, the lottery is only open to citizens from countries where there are low rates of migration to the US, to promote diversity. Citizens of the UK, Mexico, India and China, to name a few are not eligible.\n\nIt would have been great if you could join though, as most of you guys already speak better English than we do. LOL!
297528
Because this country was founded as a place for everyone to have the oppurtunity to have whatever they want if they work hard to get it.  Not to mention, this country would not be here if not for immigrants.  I am not saying if I agree or disagree, but I think that IF there were a highly qualified immigrant, he or she deserves just as much of a shot at it as anyone else.\n\nHowever, they'd have to be a rich immigrant, because you have to have tons of money to even run....even for one of the minor parties.\n\nBut, if I am not mistaken, at the present time, the law says that an immigrant may NOT run for president.  They can run for Senate, House of Representatives, or Governor in most states though.
1131540
No, as long as you have kind of heritage from that country you can play.  If you have ancestors from Italy, Germany and Russia you can play for either of those teams
99677
Well there is a speed skater on the U.S team. But really go to the offical website maybe you can find some african americans in the olympics. But hey the games just begun too.. so be patient. But hey I may look white in real life but i'm actally half black so I can relate to what your saying about where the black people are.
320046
can't unless you where born there. if you mean citizenship that's different.
1075
Because the MLB didn't want to suspend its season to let the professional players go to the olympics, in a manner similar to what the NHL does for the winter olympics.\n\nThis plus other problems like a poorly designed qualifying scheme meant that piss-poor teams from Europe and Africa went to Athens, but several very good teams from N & S America were left out led to almost no ticket sales. It was all about the Money.
389025
You have to qualify.  Many more countries attempt to participate, but are eliminated before the Cup starts.  Only 32 countries can qualify for the Cup proper.\n\nOther countries don't even try, usually because they have little tradition of the sport, have no chance, or have no money to allocate for the expense of a national team.