Dewey_Runner wrote:
I think that if Nick had some 1500 training under his belt...
That's a pretty significant "if." If Symmonds spends a year or two focusing on the 1500, then he'll be a different runner -- and we'll have plenty of chance to see how his 1500 abilities compare to his 800 abilities. For now, it's more than fair to consider him an 800 runner.
Similarly, Manzano and Centro have to be considered 1500 runners, not 800/1500 or 1500/5000 runners. If you want an example of a 1500/5000 guy, take Lagat, who has competed in lots of Diamond League and World Championship races in both events.
Remember David Krummenacker? 1:43, back-to-back NCAA 800 titles, three-time US 800 champ, World Indoor 800 champ, moved up and ran 3:31... and yet I don't remember him as a particularly great kicker at 1500. Having great top-end speed and enough endurance to run a great 1500 doesn't automatically make you a great kicker -- that's a separate skill.