Thread: American athlete under fire for carrying Mexican flag

Former Undocumented Immigrant Leo Manzano Wins Silver Medal for U.S.

by Jorge Rivas, Wednesday, August 8 2012, 9:41 AM EST

On Tuesday, Mexican-born American runner Leo Manzano won a silver medal in the men’s 1,500-meter final, running the fastest time ever by a U.S. athlete at the Games. Manzano, 27, entered the U.S. at the age of 4 without papers, according to LetsRun. He didn’t gain legal residency until 10 years later.

“Silver medal, still felt like I won! Representing two countries USA and Mexico!”, Manzano tweeted shortly after his win. Most of his tweets throughout the Olympics have been in both Spanish and English.

“I am honored and excited to represent both the United States and Mexico by earning this silver,” Manzano told the Associated Press.

“Standing on the podium has been a dream of mine and I share it proudly with my family, friends, coaches and all my supporters from Austin, Marble Falls, and Granite Shoals, Texas as well as Dolores Hidalgo, Mexico.”

On the track Manzano celebrated with the U.S. flag and the Mexican flag.

“I’m really excited, so thrilled and so pumped. It was an insane race. It was probably the toughest race physically and mentally that I’ve ever been in,” Manzano said in a statement.

Manzano’s father Jesus gained legal residency under the 1986 Immigration Reform and Control Act, but it would take 10 years for the rest of the family to gain legal residency, according to Heather Jelen at the National Immigration Forum.

Leo Manzano became a citizen in 2004 and also represented the U.S. in the 2008 Olympics.

Manzano is also the first in his family to graduate from high school. He landed a track scholarship to the University of Texas, where he became a five-time NCAA champion and an 11-time NCAA All-American. He graduated with degrees in Spanish and Portuguese, and a minor in business.

Lastly, Manzano has a pre-game ritual which is interesting to say the least. Take a look for yourself (@ link) and please do comment below if you know anything about it.

Former Undocumented Immigrant Leo Manzano Wins Silver Medal for U.S. - COLORLINES

No surprises here. You don't display the flag of another country, especially in an event like the Olympics where country means everything! Some argue that he is also from Mexico so why not fly that flag as well? That logic doesn't fly since he has basically known no other country but the U.S. since coming here at the age of 4. If he hasn't pledged full allegiance by now, when will he?? We all see this crap every day, Mexicans, both illegal and legal, here in the U.S. flying the Mexican flag. It's WRONG and disrespectful to this country. I am of German descent but don't fly a German flag. Never even considered it!

He didn't realize how insulting this would be to America? Does the guy have a brain or what?

QUOTE=Kiara;1297635]He didn't realize how insulting this would be to America? Does the guy have a brain or what?[/QUOTE]

Kiara, maybe he just has an agenda.

Oath of citizenship:

I hereby declare, on oath,

• that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen;

ADDED TO ALIPAC HOMEPAGE News with amended title ..

http://www.alipac.us/content.php?r=8...g-Mexican-flag

Arrogant and bull headed, just like the rest of them.

You owe me mentality.

Originally Posted by partwerks

Arrogant and bull headed, just like the rest of them.

You owe me mentality.

You got that right. Mexico paid zilch for his training and upbringing but will certainly be taking full advantage of and credit for his accomplishments.