Nico Young and the Issue with (most) Pro Runners

Nah let it go wrote:

He’s a top level elite runner, and not an entertainer or conversationalist. Would you be surprised that a Bill Maher or a Joe Rogan couldn’t run 13:00/27:00?

jk0 wrote:

A lot of should we or should we not blame the runner discussion here. But not so much about the interviewer.

there is another thread, including top 10 questions that should have been asked.

Link:www.letsrun.com/forum/flat_read.php?th...

Nico does seem a bit more shy / cautious in an interview than most. But with some better discussion and questions, it could have been fascinating. I think WeJo was not prepared for this. And generally, only Gault shows through with professional training, preparation and determination.

interview quality:

Gault > Chavez >> RoJo > WeJo

Slipped in a non-LRC one there.

Steve The Addict OFFICIAL -----^^^^^ wrote:

He doesn't have to be good at interviews. His job is to run fast.

ScottEvil wrote:

Steve The Addict OFFICIAL -----^^^^^ wrote:

He doesn't have to be good at interviews. His job is to run fast.

Yes and no. Parker Valby makes more money than many women who are faster than her because, to be frank, she's hot and likeable. New Balance thinks that she'll help them sell shoes. If she wins an Olympic Gold, great, that'll help too. But it's not strictly necessary because she has other assets.

Nico is plenty good looking. He can be a star if he wants to [1]. But he has to want to.

[1]

Link:www.outsports.com/2024/12/26/24105093/...

Shay Given wrote:

Depressing thread. You would think just being a hardworking, talented young medal prospect who hasn't been caught in any scandals or revealed himself to be an arsehole would be enough to earn the admiration of running enthusiasts. Instead he gets complaints about not maximising his commercial potential because he doesn't adopt a fake loud, brash persona for the media.

How very American

AMF Ballz wrote:

MasterofNone wrote:

As the great Pete Weber once said, "Love me or hate me, you're going to watch". We need more of those personalities

LOL.....Not only did nobody ever tune in to bowling to see Pete Weber get beat, I'd bet nobody ever heard that quote - or cared.

jk0 wrote:

A lot of should we or should we not blame the runner discussion here. But not so much about the interviewer.

there is another thread, including top 10 questions that should have been asked.

Link:www.letsrun.com/forum/flat_read.php?th...

Nico does seem a bit more shy / cautious in an interview than most. But with some better discussion and questions, it could have been fascinating. I think WeJo was not prepared for this. And generally, only Gault shows through with professional training, preparation and determination.

interview quality:

Gault > Chavez >> RoJo > WeJo

Slipped in a non-LRC one there.

Shay Given wrote:

Depressing thread. You would think just being a hardworking, talented young medal prospect who hasn't been caught in any scandals or revealed himself to be an arsehole would be enough to earn the admiration of running enthusiasts. Instead he gets complaints about not maximising his commercial potential because he doesn't adopt a fake loud, brash persona for the media.

How very American

what medal? wrote:

Shay Given wrote:

Depressing thread. You would think just being a hardworking, talented young medal prospect who hasn't been caught in any scandals or revealed himself to be an arsehole would be enough to earn the admiration of running enthusiasts. Instead he gets complaints about not maximising his commercial potential because he doesn't adopt a fake loud, brash persona for the media.

How very American

He's not medal caliber and I don't think he ever will be. Good runner but I think he'll be a perpetual 4th-6th place finisher in a few years. Just not enough of a kick

Dwightarm wrote:

MasterofNone wrote:

Therein lies the issue with the sport and its popularity. Nico Young was the face of the NCAA and presumably a force to be reckoned with for years to come on the international stage- to give that flat of an interview, what felt like pulling teeth, was embarrassing for the sport. I'm not sure if there is some media training he needs to do or what, but that was a hard listen.

THIS is your issue with the sport? Not rampant doping, not top athletes avoiding each other, etc etc

But the ‘issue with sport’ is that athletes are not entertaining on some podcast?

Personally, I pay more attention to how they compete on the track.

xczvzxcv wrote:

If he can run 12:57/26:53, he doesn't need to talk. But he's been very generous, if always reluctant, with the media for years with interviews. I like runners who focus on their sport.

HRE wrote:

I agree with you. However, this is part of the problem with distance and endurance athletes. We do a sport that rewards calm, focus, dedication, steadiness. We do not produce many athletes who are flamboyant or massively extroverted.

This has always been one of the things I like best about distance running. You have almost none of the "Look at me, look at me" stuff that you get so much of in the high profile sports.

ScottEvil wrote:

Steve The Addict OFFICIAL -----^^^^^ wrote:

He doesn't have to be good at interviews. His job is to run fast.

Yes and no. Parker Valby makes more money than many women who are faster than her because, to be frank, she's hot and likeable. New Balance thinks that she'll help them sell shoes. If she wins an Olympic Gold, great, that'll help too. But it's not strictly necessary because she has other assets.

Nico is plenty good looking. He can be a star if he wants to [1]. But he has to want to.

[1]

Link:www.outsports.com/2024/12/26/24105093/...

Kickers usually win wrote:

HRE wrote:

I agree with you. However, this is part of the problem with distance and endurance athletes. We do a sport that rewards calm, focus, dedication, steadiness. We do not produce many athletes who are flamboyant or massively extroverted.

This has always been one of the things I like best about distance running. You have almost none of the "Look at me, look at me" stuff that you get so much of in the high profile sports.

Im not aware of a sport that doesn’t require calm, focus, dedication and steadiness(not quite sure what that means). What sports do you have in mind?