Switching Countries

Marathoner Khalid Khannouchi, whose long run to U.S. citizenship
ended last week, is not the only athlete who has been on an
affiliation odyssey this year. Here are some other folks who
hope to be in Sydney--in the colors of one country or another.

Eunice Barber
heptathlete
Sierra Leone/France
Two-time Olympian for war-ravaged Sierra Leone won world title
for France in 1999. Uncertain whether her homeland will allow
her to compete for France in Sydney

Yue Ling Chen
10-km walker
China/U.S.
Former Chen Yueling won gold in 1992 for China, became U.S.
citizen in April. Needs China's O.K. to walk at U.S. trials in
July

Uta Pippig
long-distance runner
Germany/U.S.
Three-time Boston Marathon champ finished drug ban in April,
became U.S. citizen this month. May try 10,000 at U.S. trials in
July if Germany consents

Rio Ramirez
diver
Cuba/U.S.
1991 Pan Am platform champ defected in '93, became U.S. citizen
in '99. U.S. Diving has filed request for Cuba to grant Ramirez
relief in time for June U.S. trials

Roberto Benitez
Darling Jimenez
Jerson Ravelo
boxers
U.S./Dominican Republic
After losing at U.S. Box-offs, all used Dominican heritage to
make that nation's Olympic team; still must earn Sydney berths
in international competition later this month

Elvan Can
Sibel Ozyurt
Nuray Surekli
long-distance runners
Ethiopia/Turkey
With new Turkish passports and Ottomanized names, runners won
five medals at the 1999 European junior championships

--Brian Cazeneuve