And she couldn't be more wrong. The last 12 months indicate as much. She's gone from fan favorite to, well, not so popular anymore. Femke is an excellent athlete. She's done (and will do) amazing things. I doubt she will ever run as fast as Syd. Syd is on another planet of talent, the likes of which very few have ever existed. But, Femke's rise in popularity is largely in part because she's always competing. Helps that she's very successful and seems to be having a lot of fun. But she "dilutes her brand" and all it has done is strengthen it. Syd needs to get out there and compete. In whatever.
bro, don't confuse "letsrun" popularity with real popularity. Syd has appeared in every NBC Olympics ad, she's talked about during races she's not even in. She did the major media morning circuit the past few weeks.
A total bullschit selfish move at the Olympics. Taking a spot from another US athlete
No one will write about this. So shameful.
Michael Jordan always said that he understood he had to show up and give his best effort because some people in the arena had made a special trip to be there, and this would be their only opportunity to see him.
Something like that never occurs to Sydney or Kersee at all. Or if they think about it they don't care at all. The two events that really turned me against Sydney were a couple of years ago when she pulled out of New York at the last second with no explanation whatsoever, and then when she was hyped for the Monaco event and instead watched from the stands. Both of those meets and especially New York would have carried high number of fans who drove and purchased specifically to see her.
Contrast to Bol. The big outdoor meet in Netherlands every year is called FBK Games. Two years ago they saved her event for the end of the meet, so anticipation would build. Last year Bol asked them to change that and move her 400 flat race closer to the beginning. She wanted that so that she could have plenty of time to meet spectators for signatures and selfies long after her race.
And they did the same thing last weekend at Dutch indoor finals. It was a heavily anticipated event with a sellout crowd, the first in memory. Bol's event was moved up to the point there were almost 90 minutes of action to follow. She circled the track waving to spectators after the world record and then stayed for all the meet and greet particulars.
Sydney wins the big media stuff, no question. Bol told Citius Mag last year that her big goal after her career is to appear on a reality show.
Regarding her religion, as a European, I find any athlete that constantly thanks God in their post race interview strange. Evangelical Christianity is very much an American thing and we generally consider religion a private affair, not public. It also amuses me they rarely thank their coach, or their sponsor, or their family "first and foremost I thank The Lord and Jesus Christ, his Son.." blah blah blah. I mean, fecks sake, they could even just big-up themselves for putting in the hard work and simply be proud of what they have done.
So for me, ANY athlete that is overly religious in an interview, I find uncomfortable, strange and unnecessary. That being said, Sydney is pretty much the worst, and over here, it doesn't really do her any favours. But I can accept that in the US maybe this isn't unusual or as strange as it is to us.
On her possible retirement, I sincerely doubt she has retired yet. With respect to fellow posters that believe she, as I wrote earlier, she hasn't competed until June these last two seasons, so her being MIA, or doing book promotional interviews, is not unusual. We won't see her on a track for at least another 3 months. My only doubt is that someone posted on another thread that they regularly attend her track and whilst her group have been sighted, as has Mu, she's nowhere to be seen.
Kersee's master plan is for her to double in Paris...if she handles the Trials well. He made Felix attempt the 200/400 double in 2016 and 2020(1), when way past her best, so he will certainly make Sydney do it while actually at her peak. I think the plan will be:
May/June - Run 2 meets (1 over the flat, 1 over the hurdles)
June 21-30 - US Olympic Trials. Run the 400m & 400mh
July - no meets
August 4-11 - Paris Olympics - last minute decision as to whether she runs both events
Regarding her religion, as a European, I find any athlete that constantly thanks God in their post race interview strange. Evangelical Christianity is very much an American thing and we generally consider religion a private affair, not public. It also amuses me they rarely thank their coach, or their sponsor, or their family "first and foremost I thank The Lord and Jesus Christ, his Son.." blah blah blah. I mean, fecks sake, they could even just big-up themselves for putting in the hard work and simply be proud of what they have done.
So for me, ANY athlete that is overly religious in an interview, I find uncomfortable, strange and unnecessary. That being said, Sydney is pretty much the worst, and over here, it doesn't really do her any favours. But I can accept that in the US maybe this isn't unusual or as strange as it is to us.
On her possible retirement, I sincerely doubt she has retired yet. With respect to fellow posters that believe she, as I wrote earlier, she hasn't competed until June these last two seasons, so her being MIA, or doing book promotional interviews, is not unusual. We won't see her on a track for at least another 3 months. My only doubt is that someone posted on another thread that they regularly attend her track and whilst her group have been sighted, as has Mu, she's nowhere to be seen.
Kersee's master plan is for her to double in Paris...if she handles the Trials well. He made Felix attempt the 200/400 double in 2016 and 2020(1), when way past her best, so he will certainly make Sydney do it while actually at her peak. I think the plan will be:
May/June - Run 2 meets (1 over the flat, 1 over the hurdles)
June 21-30 - US Olympic Trials. Run the 400m & 400mh
July - no meets
August 4-11 - Paris Olympics - last minute decision as to whether she runs both events
Season over
It's always been a thing with top US sprinters, many who then get caught doping. I suspect it's to throw people off the scent as many may not suspect a person of faith as much or feel awkward even raising the question. What I love the most though is how the competitors' prayers or Gods are apparently not as powerful if those athletes don't win or do well. It's literally my God favoring me over you... the whole thing is ridiculous.
My only doubt is that someone posted on another thread that they regularly attend her track and whilst her group have been sighted, as has Mu, she's nowhere to be seen.
I wouldn't worry about Sydney not appearing recently with Bobby Kersee's group. It would be hard for Sydney to appear on a track in Los Angeles while she is flying around the country making appearances promoting her new book.
My only doubt is that someone posted on another thread that they regularly attend her track and whilst her group have been sighted, as has Mu, she's nowhere to be seen.
I wouldn't worry about Sydney not appearing recently with Bobby Kersee's group. It would be hard for Sydney to appear on a track in Los Angeles while she is flying around the country making appearances promoting her new book.
I wouldn't worry about Sydney not appearing recently with Bobby Kersee's group. It would be hard for Sydney to appear on a track in Los Angeles while she is flying around the country making appearances promoting her new book.
Syd will retire soon.
She might retire after the 2024 Olympics, but I don't see her retiring before the 2024 Olympics.
It's the non-stop religious stuff that has me changing the proverbial channel whenever Sydney is in the media now.
She is young and young in her faith. Young people tend to be passionate about their passions. That's the beauty and purview of being young. She will need her faith to sustain her when she looses on the world's biggest stage. I hope it doesn't happen, but life can be a crapfest at times. I wish her well, whatever she decides to do.
You people constantly bellyache over her. It's weird that.
This does not get more than an eyeroll from most modern people. Also its not the religious stuff its also that she just seems so inauthentic. Like does she have a personality? If so she hides it extremely well. Shes one of the most bland people I can think of.
If I'm looking at this right she ran one indoor race in 2023, plus 2 warm up races before USAs. She didn't run any hurdles races last year. She hasn't run this year. She ran 8 races in 2022.
So in the 2 1/2 years since the Olympics she has run 14 races.
Femke Bol has run 5 races this year, plus 29 races last year (including relays), and ran 29 races (including relays) in 2022.
So since the Olympics we've seen Sydney 14 times and we've seen Bol 63 times.
This does not get more than an eyeroll from most modern people. Also its not the religious stuff its also that she just seems so inauthentic.
Like does she have a personality? If so she hides it extremely well. Shes one of the most bland people I can think of.
Sydney actually has a great personality in private but a very bland personality in public. It's almost as if she is two different people.
It's pretty unusual, because I've talked to Sydney and most of the other American track stars, and she is the only one that has two different personalities.
All the other track stars act in private just like how they act in interviews.
This does not get more than an eyeroll from most modern people. Also its not the religious stuff its also that she just seems so inauthentic.
Like does she have a personality? If so she hides it extremely well. Shes one of the most bland people I can think of.
Sydney actually has a great personality in private but a very bland personality in public. It's almost as if she is two different people.
It's pretty unusual, because I've talked to Sydney and most of the other American track stars, and she is the only one that has two different personalities.
All the other track stars act in private just like how they act in interviews.
That is interesting to hear. Good that she is not actually that odd in real life. Maybe the attention makes her uncomfortable and she does not handle media stuff well.
Anyhow I stand by my opinion that the whole overtly religiousness is super weird. More so for me as European than it would be to most Americans.
She is young and young in her faith. Young people tend to be passionate about their passions. That's the beauty and purview of being young. She will need her faith to sustain her when she looses on the world's biggest stage. I hope it doesn't happen, but life can be a crapfest at times. I wish her well, whatever she decides to do.
You people constantly bellyache over her. It's weird that.
This does not get more than an eyeroll from most modern people. Also its not the religious stuff its also that she just seems so inauthentic. Like does she have a personality? If so she hides it extremely well. Shes one of the most bland people I can think of.
Why are you speaking for most modern people? As a Christian myself, what the poster said is correct. Sydney's life is most and foremost centered on her faith in Christ. Everything else comes second. Having a personality is overrated. Lyles has one and you people criticize him. Sydney conducts herself as she thinks God demands. Good for her.
Sydney actually has a great personality in private but a very bland personality in public. It's almost as if she is two different people.
It's pretty unusual, because I've talked to Sydney and most of the other American track stars, and she is the only one that has two different personalities.
All the other track stars act in private just like how they act in interviews.
That is interesting to hear. Good that she is not actually that odd in real life. Maybe the attention makes her uncomfortable and she does not handle media stuff well.
Anyhow I stand by my opinion that the whole overtly religiousness is super weird. More so for me as European than it would be to most Americans.
I too find it a tad weird and disingenuous. But hey, I will let them do themselves.
Regarding her religion, as a European, I find any athlete that constantly thanks God in their post race interview strange. Evangelical Christianity is very much an American thing and we generally consider religion a private affair, not public. It also amuses me they rarely thank their coach, or their sponsor, or their family "first and foremost I thank The Lord and Jesus Christ, his Son.." blah blah blah. I mean, fecks sake, they could even just big-up themselves for putting in the hard work and simply be proud of what they have done.
So for me, ANY athlete that is overly religious in an interview, I find uncomfortable, strange and unnecessary. That being said, Sydney is pretty much the worst, and over here, it doesn't really do her any favours. But I can accept that in the US maybe this isn't unusual or as strange as it is to us.
On her possible retirement, I sincerely doubt she has retired yet. With respect to fellow posters that believe she, as I wrote earlier, she hasn't competed until June these last two seasons, so her being MIA, or doing book promotional interviews, is not unusual. We won't see her on a track for at least another 3 months. My only doubt is that someone posted on another thread that they regularly attend her track and whilst her group have been sighted, as has Mu, she's nowhere to be seen.
Kersee's master plan is for her to double in Paris...if she handles the Trials well. He made Felix attempt the 200/400 double in 2016 and 2020(1), when way past her best, so he will certainly make Sydney do it while actually at her peak. I think the plan will be:
May/June - Run 2 meets (1 over the flat, 1 over the hurdles)
June 21-30 - US Olympic Trials. Run the 400m & 400mh
July - no meets
August 4-11 - Paris Olympics - last minute decision as to whether she runs both events
Season over
It's always been a thing with top US sprinters, many who then get caught doping. I suspect it's to throw people off the scent as many may not suspect a person of faith as much or feel awkward even raising the question. What I love the most though is how the competitors' prayers or Gods are apparently not as powerful if those athletes don't win or do well. It's literally my God favoring me over you... the whole thing is ridiculous.
I don't believe it has anything to do with throwing anyone off the scent. I suspect the answer is more simple. Black USA athletes grew up in homes that are more often religious than not. They have been taught to give thanks to God. And they do so, but only when they win. Which is the weird part for me.
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