Deseret News | Russia's little hero: Ex-Cougar is invited to join Russia's Olympic camp

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Russia's little hero: Ex-Cougar is invited to join Russia's Olympic camp

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Cats | 7:39 p.m. July 2, 2008

Good Grief! I'm being attacked by everyone. What I said has NOTHING to do with his humanitarian efforts. In fact, I said that I thought it was great that he's doing so well in Russia. What I said was that wearing the uniform of a country other than your own in the Olympics is tacky. I stand by that statement.

I applaud his humanitarian efforts on the part of the kids. That's a completely seperate issue.

Good grief people. Get the issues straight!

dan m | 8:16 p.m. July 2, 2008

To everyone posting comments to the tune of "shame on Travis" and stuff like that,

a)shame on him for reaching beyond himself and doing enough good for a country that they actually extended him citizenship and an invitation to represent them before the world? Is that how come 'shame on him'? That's pretty low and narrow of you.

b)Aren't the Olympics about world unity? Don't we spend the whole rest of the time trying to outdo each other, like dropping bombs and making trade embargos and stuff? Can't we just be glad that we're not to the point where we can't put all that behind us for a bit and play together? I think that if you can't say great job for all that Travis has done and the opportunities he's received, then you've lost sight of what the Olympics is about.

Okay?

Way to go Travis H.

djt | 9:02 p.m. July 2, 2008

I thought that the olympics was about the athletes first. If the Russians want to recognize him as a role model and a hero it sounds O.K. to me. Yes, I am patriotic. Thinking that others have to loose for me to win has always been kind of destructive from my point of view. In the world sport of soccer, players will be invited to play for other national teams. If Travis was not going to be invited to play in the U.S. and Russia wants to honor him this way, why not?

Comments continue below

Desert Rat | 9:26 p.m. July 2, 2008

All the carping about a Yank playing for the Russkies in the olympics is a good example of what the modern olympics were intended to diminish.

It's supposed to be about individual and team athletic excellence, not the kind of jingoistic nonsense we're seeing in too many of these posts. If Hansen has an opportunity to excell in an olympic competition we ought to celebrate his opportunity, not berate him because of the uniform he'll wear to do so.

Jed | 10:49 p.m. July 2, 2008

This is just bad and self rightious. I'll stop there as I don't think he will make the cut.

We'll maybe I won't stop just yet: the Mormon Freedom Festival must be proud if your native son!

What a Waste of Time | 12:16 a.m. July 3, 2008

For my money, Travis Hansen can play for Bulgaria or Zimbabwe if they invite him. Big whoop. Team USA's too busy trying to ensure they get the gold with the biggest NBA superstars. So good luck, Travis.

Some of you so-called "Patriots," you might want to take a good, hard look in the mirror and see if the words "Ugly American" better describe you. Love your country and Constitution, please and thank you, but why don't you also choose your battles and your words more carefully? Civil discourse is also your civic/patriotic/communitarian duty as an American, isn't it?

I agree 100% with the poster who said these comments are demeaning to the DesNews. All they do is breed negativity and give the nasties a bully pulpit. People say stuff here they wouldn't have the guts to say to somebody's face. And nobody learns anything and is the better for it--but plenty of people get to fight, argue, and show just how petty and spiteful they really are.

In short: What a waste of time. We all need to get a life.

Let him play | 12:20 a.m. July 3, 2008

If Hansen wants to play for a country that brought us the Cold War, purges, the AK47, the Gulags and Communism--let him go for it.

Russia is returning back to a dictatorship. Let's hope the Hansens get out of there before then.

BYU Blue to Red. | 3:40 a.m. July 3, 2008

Travis Hansen and Coach Whitt.

I love them both. Good luck to both this year.

Cougar Fan

Barry Baker | 6:53 a.m. July 3, 2008

Experience counts! Having returned with my wife six months ago from living in Russia for 17 months, aiding the orphanages as part of our mission assignment, helped me to take notice of this excellent article.

A week ago I read about Travis' invitation to "try out" for the Russian Olympic BB Team and thought, sure! why not? What a "PR" move!

Those who have made negative comments on the Hansen Family's Russian citizenship have no idea what must have gone in to scrutinizing their family background. This is remarkable and unbelievable to think they would even be considered for dual-citizenzhip, not having to give up their American birthright. In a country where there is a recent strong move by a few national leaders to return to so many cold-war principles, makes it even more remarkable. And again it's remarkable that any American be even considered for Russian citizenship.

The bottom-line is that Travis and LaRee are at the top of the list in foreign relations to that country in a time when we need it most! They weren't assigned humanitarians; that's even more power! Every American who knows more than his own little world salutes you!

jeralbre | 9:30 a.m. July 3, 2008

Good for the Hansens. I am proud of them for seeing all human beings as equal.

My questions are, how do we find out more about his charity? And most importantly, where do I found out more about getting one of those poor children that need to be loved?

Cheesehead | 9:47 a.m. July 3, 2008

I commend and applaud Travis for his work in Russia. I also think we need more people in this world that are willing to do things like that. But I also despise the fact that anyone could ever be so disloyal to their country. Whatï¿½s next signing up for the military of a country that opposes us? I was born and raised in the U.S. I will never play for any countryï¿½s team in anything or side with any country at all that is competing against or fighting against my home. Let me ask thisï¿½ How many people do you think will think its cool that you won a medal competing against people from your home team? You might as well hand in your passport and relinquish citizenship if you are going to go as far as joining a countryï¿½s Olympic team that isnï¿½t where you are from.

cadams | 11:51 a.m. July 3, 2008

Power to ya Travis! If Russia beats Team USA for the 3rd time I won't be disappointed because of you. And this from a patriot who wants us to win everything else!

patriot / traitor / treason? | 12:11 p.m. July 3, 2008

Sorry, but you are a bunch of morons. He's not giving away any secrets.

It is basketbal, nothing more.

I'd play for Jamaica if it got me into the Olympics.

Thanks to those who posted reasonable thoughts.

team canada | 1:49 p.m. July 3, 2008

I admire Travis, he was such a gritty and determined player for BYU and he played quite well for the Hawks in the NBA. I'm sure he could find a spot on almost any NBA team if he wanted to come back, but he has chosen a different path. I can see the ute fans have crawled all over this message board with their tenticles. This story goes far beyond basketeball and the silly BYU-Utah rivalry, and those who can't see this are truly mired in a worthless rut. And Kepkay? Get real, he's a marginal player who lost several games for the Utes last year, so if he's playing for team Canada...Yikes for Canada.

To Anonymous And Clueless Kewgar | 3:40 p.m. July 3, 2008

You two have absolutley no idea what your talking about. What he did for Russia was a great thing. No matter what you say. He went to Russia to play basketball and then ended up saving lives. So what if he GOT INVITED to play for their national team. more power to him. Ute fans just cant stand the sight of cougar fans doing something good for the world because its something they will never see from their own kind. You heard him he said his dream was to play in the Olympics and now he gets to do that.

And stay their | 4:29 p.m. July 3, 2008

Please denounce your American Citizenship and remain in Russia.

I guess it doesn't mean much anymore to be an America. Well at least to some.

Grow Up | 5:44 p.m. July 3, 2008

I'm consistently surprised at the immaturity of some of the contributers to this forum. Travis and his wife are doing incredible things for Russia, and they are rewarding him with this gesture. Your negative comments almost make me hope Russia beats the U.S. this year in B-Ball, which is perfectly possible so long as the U.S. continues to insist on combining "leaders" and "superstars" onto a team with no role-players. If the U.S. were to send the Celtics, they'd take the gold, but the dream team is fundamentally flawed as it stands.

Good job and good luck Travis.

Anonymous | 12:16 a.m. July 4, 2008

Great idea! Lets send the Celtics. It has always bothered me that the NBA (and NFL & MLB) has had the audacity to call its tournament champ the 'world champ' without inviting the world to the table, even though recent runs against international competition have thrown that very much in doubt. Send the Celtics and let them prove it against the world.

Shameful | 1:10 a.m. July 4, 2008

The venom and hatred exhibited by many of the previous posters demostrates just how shamefully childish and immature they are.

Travis and his wife are true examples of Christ-like charity. Good luck in the Olympics Travis.

Sarah | 7:30 a.m. July 4, 2008

I think it's fantastic that he has a shot to play in the Olympics with the people he's been playing for and living with for the past several years. Congrats and good luck to him. I hope to see him on the team.

I'm also very proud of anybody willing to go to so much effort to help children the way he and his wife are doing. They should be applauded, not criticised.

Arrhenius too?? | 12:11 p.m. July 4, 2008

I just read where another former Cougar, Niklas Arrhenius, will be competing in the Olympics for Sweden. Niklas was born in Provo, Utah, and is American through and through. Apparently his Swedish ancestry is enough to get him a spot on that country's Olympic team. I wonder, will all of you so-called patriots spew your ignorant venom on him too??

Note to Deseret News | 12:12 p.m. July 4, 2008

Please consider adopting an intelligence test which one must pass before being allowed to comment here. Or, alternatively, require posters to reveal their true identity. Either would clean up the garbage quite a bit around here.

HELLO | 12:16 p.m. July 4, 2008

IT'S BASKETBALL, PEOPLE. Sheesh. You'd think he was giving away military secrets or something.

to clueless | 5:51 p.m. July 4, 2008

The knutes don't have a clue. All Andrew (the big bust!) Bogut has done with all his money is pay to have the gym lockers re done in knute ville. He was going to put in a new weight room but none of the players use it up there on the hill. Cupcake is on the Canadian Oly team? They must really be scrapping the barrell this year! As for Travis Hansen, he may be playing for Russia in the Olympics, but he is a Treu American for what he does for those kids. We need more examples like Travis in this world. Weather your are a knute or a kewgear, we should all step up and help!!!

Second: Note to Deseret News | 8:05 a.m. July 5, 2008

Agreed. A number of other papers require commenters to register under an identity name. This "make up your own name" business lends itself to rudeness and sheer idiocy in many forms, from the "Ugly Americans" ripping on Travis Hansen to the antis ripping on the church. People make up their own facts to suit any purpose and spell any way they want. Anyone can say nearly anything, and 90% of it's ugly.

I've also never understood why the DN monitors let through half the stuff they do and refuse to publish other remarks. In the past, I guarantee I've written perfectly innocent comments on other forums that's been censored, while abusive/offensive/off-topic garbage has been greenlighted. VERY inconsistent.

At least a *little* accountability from posters and a LOT more consistency from the monitors would be wonderful. As it is, these comment boards are a joke and an embarrassment to all of us.

Utes Fan | 4:37 p.m. July 6, 2008

Hey, it is all right. He moved to Russia, fell in love with the country, doing good thing over there. People love him there and want him to plat for Russia. He should play if he want to. It does not men he does not respect USA. I don't think this is a deep issue. It wil be an oppotunity of his life. Let him enjoy and cheer for what he is doing.

Utes Fan

Reggi | 3:51 p.m. July 9, 2008

I think it is great that you were asked to play in the Olympics. But I do hope JR Holden gets an opportunity to play also. USA never looks overseas for their players and it should not mean that they should not be able to play in the Olympics. It is your skills and ability that gets you there not your
nationality.This is a "once in a lifetime" opportunity and I'm glad that you and Holden have answered the knock.

Young_Basketball_Phenom | 1:34 p.m. July 15, 2008

That man is amazing. Check YouTube and look at some of the things hes done. He works pretty dang hard, and yet you guys are dissing him and his team? They love him over there in Russia, not just because he is a phenom in basketball. He is doing good things for people with hard trials. Not only that, he is such a classy guy. I would know, Ive met him.

Just like he said, "Say what you want, but I'm having the time of my life over here."

Seriously, who cares who hes playing for? Does it really matter? He's obviously kicking butt and having fun, so why 'Boo' him for what he's doing? I don't get it... What Travis has done has saved countless lives, and I'm pretty sure that those of you Travis-haters haven't done anything half as good. Leave the guy alone.

Also, just in-case anyone needed to know, his website is LittleHeroesFoundation.com. Thats where the donations page can be found.

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