Usually, I’m not at a loss for opinion on hot-button topics, but I have to admit I’m straddling the fence on the lingering controversy whether Leo Manzano should have celebrated his silver medal in the Olympic 1500 meters by waving the US and Mexican flags as he circled the track.

If you missed the firestorm that followed, Leo was ripped by the nationally syndicated columnist and CNN contributor Ruben Navarrette Jr. who wrote on CNN.com that he considered Manzano’s waving of the Mexican flag to be “misguided and ill-mannered.”

At his postrace press conference, Leo, who was born in Mexico and came to Texas when he was four years old, said he was honored to represent the U.S. and Mexico. But Navarrette wasn’t buying it.

He wrote, “You can’t help but be proud of Manzano and the country that allowed him the opportunity to fulfill his potential. So why did Manzano carry two flags with him on his victory lap? As the world looked on, he held up both the U.S. flag and the Mexican flag. Not a good look. And not a good idea.

“I realize that, for many of my fellow Mexican-Americans, the image of Manzano waving two flags is no big thing. And for many Americans who are Mexican-born, it’s actually a great thing. Both camps might even find it charming—albeit, for different reasons.”

Navarrette went on: “For both groups, the fact that Manzano, who holds dual citizenship, made a decision to show off the flags of both countries was a kind of signal to the people of Mexico that this accomplished young man hadn’t forgotten where he came from. For some, that concept warms the heart. But the image didn’t warm my heart. It upset my stomach.”

A couple of days later, Jesús Chairez, a Latino activist and freelance writer who has written for the Dallas Morning News, rushed to Leo’s defense. He wrote, “He {Manzano} has every right to do so: After all, he has dual citizenship for both countries.”

Chairez continued: “It’s just that, in a moment of pride, Manzano wanted the world to know that he didn’t forget his heritage. As one friend aptly put it, “Identity, like borders, is porous and negotiable.” Finally, Chairez summed it up, “While Olympic athletes should always rally behind their team, it does not mean they have to subsume their individuality. We should admire individuals for their hard work and respect their decisions in how they wish to be recognized. Manzano wanted to thank the United States and also acknowledge Mexico, the land of his forefathers….Viva to Manzano for being proud of who he is: Someone who is American, but also has a part of Mexico in him.”

I can’t say I know Leo well, but from my occasional conversations with him, I feel certain he meant no offense to anyone. Nor were his actions political.

His response typified his character. Manzano said, “I want others to look at the road I traveled to get here and see how a little guy like me could grab this triumph and that it inspires them to fight. The United States is my home and I’m very proud to represent it. I love this country and wouldn’t change it for anything, but my roots are Mexican and I also feel proud to be able to carry the two flags.”

  • Lance Armstrong may be suspended from competing in the triathlon, but he’s still out there competing. While the district courts try to decide whether US Anti-Doping Agency’s case against the seven-time Tour de France champ should go forward, Armstrong won the first Steamboat Springs (Colorado) Stinger Trail Marathon last weekend in 3:18:10. Afterward, Armstrong said: “I’ve run marathons in Boston and New York City, but I’ve never done anything like this.” Erik Stanley of Austin was second to Armstrong in 3:26:04.
  • More Lance. Tyler Hamilton, Armstrong’s former teammate who scorched him in a “60 Minutes” interview last year, announced that his new tell-all book will be published on September 18th which—not so coincidentally—is Lance’s 41st birthday. Hamilton, who was recently stripped of his Olympic gold medal from 2004, wrote “The Secret Race” with Daniel Coyle who is the author of a 2005 book about Armstrong.
  • Jason Vigilante, the highly regarded track and cross-country coach who formerly coached at Virginia and UT for nine years, has been named head men’s cross-country and distance coach at Princeton. While at UT, Vig took the men’s distance program and led it into national prominence, including four straight top-20 finishes in the NCAA cross-country champs, reaching seventh in 2005 and ’06.
  • Speaking of UT men’s cross-country, the program is bubbling with optimism as it enters fall training. Some of the guys on the team are talking about winning the Big 12s (a home meet, at Jimmy Clay Golf Course) and breathing the possibility of a podium finish (top three) at the NCAAs. Lofty goals, but with the entire roster returning, including Rory Tunningley, Will Nation and Craig Lutz with the addition of Columbia transfer Kyle Merber (3:35 in the 1500), this should be John Hayes best team. First meet of the year is September 1st against UTSA.
  • Liz Shelton, a former UT runner, has been named as a girls’ cross-country coach at St. Andrew’s where Gilbert Tuhabonye and Reed Clemons also coach. Shelton is still one of the most competitive runners in town. I can’t imagine a more responsible, enthusiastic coach than Shelton or a better role model for the St. Andrew’s girls.
  • The Race Across the Sky—the legendary Leadville (Colorado) Trail 100 starts this Saturday morning and there’s another large contingent of flatlanders from Central Texas who will be tackling the brutal out-and-back course that goes up to 12,600 feet (Hope Pass) then down and back over it again. For Ironman Paul Terranova, Leadville will be his third of four 100-milers this summer. Also running are Josh Burrow and Jess Vork (Leander), Greg Wilkerson (Manor), Elizabeth Howard, Scott Marshall, Dave Martinez, Edgardo Gonzalez and Josh Charles of San Antonio and Larry Pearson from Helotes as well as Austinites Dave Springer, Amy Skudlarczyk, John Peek, Miles McGriff, John Peek, Paul Huggins, Maurice Forshee, Jason Lippman, Carrie Delbeq, Julie Doheny and the fittest mom in Austin, Andrea Fisher.
  • Nancy Ann Dasso, one of the top masters women in Austin, scooted up I-35 last weekend for the Hottest Half around White Rock Lake in Dallas. Needless to say, it was stinking hot but Dasso was eighth woman overall and first masters in 1:40:34. Chris Ramirez of Austin was second in his age group (25-29) in 1:25:34.
  • Marathon High, a new after school running program at the Ann Richards School for middle and high school students, has already received grant money. The non-profit received a $5000 grant from Saucony’s Run for Good Foundation to combat childhood obesity through training for the Livestrong Austin Marathon.
  • What I’m listening to this morning: “Speak of the Devil,” By Chris Isaak. He and his great band will be at ACL next Saturday night (August 26th). Wish I was there too.

 

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