American runner Bernard Lagat blasts Trump for ‘shithole’ slur

Two times World champion, Kenyan-American runner Bernard Lagat has blasted US president Donald Trump for terming Haiti and African nations as “shithole’ countries.

In a tweet through his official handle, the irked American record holder in the 1500 metre race castigated Trump for the racial slur.

“I’m a proud son of the shining continent called Africa. My heritage is deeply rooted in my Kenyan roots. Africa is NO #shithole, Mr. Trump,” said the runner who is a naturalised citizen of the United States.

Lagat is the American record holder in the 1500m and mile run indoors, as well as the 1500m, 3000m, and 5000m outdoors, and is the Kenyan record holder at 1500 m outdoors. Lagat is the second fastest 1500 m runner of all time, behind Hicham El Guerrouj.

Lagat is a five-time Olympian, having competed in the 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012 and 2016 games, and is a thirteen-time medalist in World Championships and Olympics including five gold medals.

He is the American record holder in the 1500m and 1 mile run indoors, as well as the 1500m, 3000m, and 5000m outdoors.

He is also the Kenyan record holder at 1500m outdoors and is the second fastest 1500m runner of all time.

AFP on Friday reported that Trump during a meeting lashed out at legistlators over immigration reform, demanding to know why the US should accept citizens from what he called “shithole” countries.

The comments, first reported by The Washington Post, sparked anger among Democrats and Republicans and revived questions about Trump’s tendency to make racially charged remarks.

Trump sat down with senators and congressmen at the White House to discuss a proposed bipartisan deal that would limit immigrants from bringing family members into the country, and restrict the green card visa lottery in exchange for shielding hundreds of thousands of young immigrants from deportation.

“Why are we having all these people from shithole countries come here?” Trump said, according to people briefed on the meeting who spoke with The Washington Post.

The president was referring to African countries and Haiti, both newspapers said, with the Post including El Salvador on its list.