American Record?

News about Elite US pole vaulters and elite competitions that occur on US soil.

Moderators: achtungpv, vaultmd

PV2020
PV Whiz
Posts: 172
Joined: Sun Jun 03, 2012 4:23 pm
Expertise: Former College Vaulter
World Record Holder?: Renaud Lavillenie
Favorite Vaulter: Lázaro Borges

American Record?

Unread postby PV2020 » Sun Feb 15, 2015 6:46 pm

Hypothetically speaking of course, if Shawn Barber jumps 6.05 or higher, should it count as the American Record?

He was born in the United States, and he is still American. I am assuming he competes for Canada under dual citizenship.

When you think of American Record, you think of the highest any American has ever jumped. So...

User avatar
KirkB
PV Rock Star
Posts: 3550
Joined: Mon May 19, 2008 6:05 pm
Expertise: Former College Vaulter; Former Elite Vaulter; Former Coach; Fan
Lifetime Best: 5.34
Favorite Vaulter: Thiago da Silva
Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada

Re: American Record?

Unread postby KirkB » Sun Feb 15, 2015 10:22 pm

PV2020 wrote: ... if Shawn Barber jumps 6.05 or higher, should it count as the American Record?

He was born in the United States, and he is still American. I am assuming he competes for Canada under dual citizenship.

That's an interesting question!

But he was born in Canada, so he's automatically Canadian. From Wikipedia:
Shawnacy Campbell Barber (born 27 May 1994 in Toronto) is a Canadian athlete specialising in the pole vault.[2]

For the geographically challenged, Toronto is in Ontario (a province of Canada). :)

I know he's lived in the US for most of his life, but that doesn't automatically make him American. He would have had to apply for (and receive) his American citizenship, or one of his parents would have had to be American at the time of his birth. His father (George) is definitely Canadian (he held the Canadian PV title in 1983). Not sure about his mother. I think George moved to the US for work --- not because his wife was American (but I could be wrong).

So if he has dual citizenship, I think he would be eligible for national records on either side of the border. Or would he? :confused:

This is distinct from him being able to choose which national team he elects to compete for. I suppose he would be eligible for the 2016 US Olympic Trials (to win a spot on the US Olympic Team), and if he has a bad day there, he would still be eligible to compete for Canada. Can anyone confirm this?

I've never ever heard of a dual citizen holding the Canadian and American record at the same time before, in any Athletics event. Any examples out there? :confused:

Oh, by the way, being the proud Canadian that I am, I find this to be a very interesting twist, since Canada usually lags behind the USA in Athletics! Good luck Shawn! I'm rooting for you! :yes:

Kirk
Run. Plant. Jump. Stretch. Whip. Extend. Fly. Clear. There is no tuck! THERE IS NO DELAY!

User avatar
rainbowgirl28
I'm in Charge
Posts: 30435
Joined: Sat Aug 31, 2002 1:59 pm
Expertise: Former College Vaulter, I coach and officiate as life allows
Lifetime Best: 11'6"
Gender: Female
World Record Holder?: Renaud Lavillenie
Favorite Vaulter: Casey Carrigan
Location: A Temperate Island
Contact:

Re: American Record?

Unread postby rainbowgirl28 » Mon Feb 16, 2015 1:34 am

No, once you begin competing for another country, you lose your ability to set a US record, even if you are still a US citizen.


Return to “Pole Vault - USA Elite”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 26 guests