What do you think of Symmonds 3rd?

Mr.Truth wrote:

Reed is in another class than Symmonds. Until Symmonds makes either an Olympic or WC final he is not in Reed's league.

Well put. Symonds will go out in the rounds or semis. Reed will be on the podium - hopefully on the top step

"Remember what Peter Snell's body looked like? Lydiard did not like his athletes to lift weights. Snell was naturally muscular, with calves a bodybuilder would have been proud of. Snell was unbeatable in his time."

In some ways Snell and Symmonds are of similar build. My impressions is that Snell may have been a bit taller. He certainly appeared to have longer limbs. He was also faster. Consider that his 400m pb of 47.7 was on a grass track. He certainly could have run sub-47 on a synthetic track. Symmonds isn't nearly that fast. If you read Lydiard he certainly was anti-weight training, but not anti-strength training. Lots of very elastic movements before going to the hills where it became very intense. The bottomline is that Symmonds is talented, while Snell was super-talented.

A = Multiple qualifiers for World Championship and/or Olympic Finals, with regular medalists.

A- = As above without the medalists.

B+ = Often get qualifiers for World Championship and/or Olympic Finals.

B = Have had a finalist within the most recent 4 year cycle.

B- = Regularly has finalists at regional or other championship (Euros, Commonwealth, Pan-Ams).

C+ = More than one athlete making the A standard.

C = One athlete making the A standard on a regular basis.

C- = Have had an A qualifier in the last 4 year cycle.

In most events the US is a C+ and I think that this is a generous scale.

Unlike most countries the US does get A qualifiers in most distance events. Even in the 1500 we had a hand full with the A standard. I worry more about England now.

for the second meet in a row and a NICE PR? Anyone care to rethink prior statements?

Hmmm, Symmonds who is just now getting into shape ran a 1:43.83 and finished several places ahead of Reed. By time Berlin is here, Reed will be lucky to make the finals and Symmonds will be challenging a 1:42. By the way, where are all those Symmonds detractors at today???

Panic Attack wrote:

Hmmm, Symmonds who is just now getting into shape ran a 1:43.83 and finished several places ahead of Reed. By time Berlin is here, Reed will be lucky to make the finals and Symmonds will be challenging a 1:42. By the way, where are all those Symmonds detractors at today???

And reed ran 1:44.2 completely dying in the homestretch after running 1:43.85 earlier in the season. It was a good run for Symmonds and I'm not saying he's an inferior 800m runner, just that he lacks the experience Reed has. Sometimes Reed has it and sometimes he doesn't, but he almost ALWAYS seems to be in perfect position in the homestretch. Reed I feel is a lock to make the final, and while Symmonds could do very well, I don't feel as confident in him as I do in Reed in terms of consistantly placing high.

And if you honestly think Symmonds is running 1:42 in Berlin you've got a surprise coming.

Abbie Norml wrote:

for the second meet in a row and a NICE PR? Anyone care to rethink prior statements?

Good for Symmonds - nice PR.

Care to rethink prior statements? Not a chance. He's now run sub 1:44 once. Running 3 good rounds in a major championship is a quantum step up from a single sub 1:44

I didn't post before, but I'll take back the thought that I did not think Symmonds would ever be able to run under 1:44...and then bang, he does it.

As to his first two European races, he was still getting through the time change / jetlag. And he blew his nose, twice during the race at London...so maybe a wee cold or something that he evidently recovered from.