How will people view Nick Symmonds?

Kind of like Mark Everett: only able to dominate when we had comparatively little domestic talent in the event. If he keeps up the (social) media whoring, he'll become more of a novelty act than anything else.

Smoke weed, talk sh!t like Lane Kiffin wrote:

Kind of like Mark Everett: only able to dominate when we had comparatively little domestic talent in the event. If he keeps up the (social) media whoring, he'll become more of a novelty act than anything else.

He was one of the fastest 2 Americans for what, a 25 year period (back to Gray)?

One of the all-timers

As a guy who ran D3 from 2004-2008, he will be most remembered for me as being that kind of underdog type 800m runner who went on to beat the best that Oregon, USC, Penn State, Villanova, and the rest of the NCAA D1 schools could produce.

I also love when a guy's race strategy is so clearly predictable by the rest of the field, and yet they still fall victim to it. Bang Bang tried his damnedest with the "Twilight Zone" approach, but Symmonds was just too much of a force to be reckoned with over the final 150m.

His off the track persona is what my students would call "cringey." Despite that, I think he is 100% genuine in how he presents himself, and I admire that.

To me, I see nick as an inspiration. A true example of grinding for success no matter what people tell you can or can’t do, and example that the 800m isn’t a one size fits all.

I think you have to realize Brazier is significantly more built than hoppel and Murphy. I’d say nick sat at the heavy end of the spectrum with people like Vasquez and Snell, with brazier in the middle, while Murphy and hoppel sit on the more lightweight end of the spectrum.

Anyone else suspicious about how there is a new thread posted about Nick Symmonds every week? almost like he is *loses connection*

Haha no I'm not Nick Symmonds. I like all the responses here and I have great admiration for his success. I agree with the above poster about how obvious his race strategy was (except during that World Championships in 2011? With Aman?) but he would still destroy his competitors

It's just wild comparing his dominance to the more typical look of Brazier and why you would expect him to be dominate.

Personally not a fan of his youtube persona

I don't think there was lacking talent in his era -- he & Duane both scared the AR.

Nick S is a sell out. He proved that when he didn't race worlds after qualifying, instead trying to cause a stir to progress his "brand." He is all about his brand with YouTube, he would do anything for enough money. Typical sell out. Everything he does is an effort to gain notoriety and publicity, good or bad. Anything for money.

As the inventor of Run Gum. End of story.

STEVE, THE ADDICT^^ wrote:

Nick S is a sell out. He proved that when he didn't race worlds after qualifying, instead trying to cause a stir to progress his "brand." He is all about his brand with YouTube, he would do anything for enough money. Typical sell out. Everything he does is an effort to gain notoriety and publicity, good or bad. Anything for money.

I don't completely disagree with this view, which is why I wondered if down the road we would see him as more of the Bruce Jenner type. The success he had with athletic career is now secondary to what is done for the brand

He'll enjoy huge respect for performing near the top nationally for several years, and then being one of the few people to continue trying to build the sport after he retired.

Don't be so critical. For the masses our sport is boring and Nick is making it more attractive and fun. Cringy or not, the man is doing what he feels like he has to do and slowly but surely coming to success with that, that deserves respect.

10 times better than someone like Galen Rupp or some other lifeless runner.

humidity is my altitude wrote:

STEVE, THE ADDICT^^ wrote:

Nick S is a sell out. He proved that when he didn't race worlds after qualifying, instead trying to cause a stir to progress his "brand." He is all about his brand with YouTube, he would do anything for enough money. Typical sell out. Everything he does is an effort to gain notoriety and publicity, good or bad. Anything for money.

I don't completely disagree with this view, which is why I wondered if down the road we would see him as more of the Bruce Jenner type. The success he had with athletic career is now secondary to what is done for the brand

No, it's not secondary. Everyone has a personality but very few Americans have had as much success as him in the 800.

STEVE, THE ADDICT^^ wrote:

Nick S is a sell out. He proved that when he didn't race worlds after qualifying, instead trying to cause a stir to progress his "brand." He is all about his brand with YouTube, he would do anything for enough money. Typical sell out. Everything he does is an effort to gain notoriety and publicity, good or bad. Anything for money.

YOU NAILED IT.

I feel the same way about Des Linden and her struggle to try to remain relevant.

Destober??? LOL

50k??? LOL

There have been plenty of top level races over the last year. She raced once in a Half Marathon. 1:15. Three minutes behind Makenna Morley.

a joke.

Actually, the best American when American middle distance was sheet. The only reason he owned was that there was little competition. I doubt he'd make any team today.

Wtf is up with this board and it's hate of nick symmonds??

I'm not the head of the nick symmonds fan club or anything. But guys. Come on...

He was a monster 800m runner. Absolute clutch. Dominated the usa scene for years...and years..and years....

He ran 142.95 in the greatest 800m final ever.

He led and won a wire to wire 143 low.

His kick was AMAZING!

What more can you expect from a guy? Jesus christ.

No wonder some pros hate these boards.

A weak era? Even if it was true. His reign really was an era. it lasted for so long! And duane solomon was no joke. And nick beat big names outside usa.... Etc etc etc

If you don't like his youtube personality, fine. But that's completely separate and anyone who could think even for a second that he wasn't an amazing 800m runner has absolutely no argument.

Big bison 🦬

Yeah but can he beat Cole Hocker? IDONTTHINKSO

Agreed. He is one of the greatest US 800m of all time and arguably one of the greatest 800m runners of all time period. In terms of 800m championship performances he was just as good if not better than other legends like Coe, Ovett etc ….

His run at the 2008 trials was one of the all time great 800m performances, under extreme pressure he produced one devastating kick with 180 m to go and followed that with another with 80m to go to pull clear of a world class field. The only other runner I remember pulling off these kinds of stunts successfully was Coe.

Post career he seems to be a pretty wholesome and happy dude, and works with the grass roots of track and field in his area. Yes he promotes his run gum product on his YouTube videos but he is a entrepreneur trying to sell his product, it's how he makes his living these days. I am not at all a business minded individual but I don't see any problem with him trying to promote his business in the way he does.