Would you rather have Nick Symmonds' career or Donavan Brazier's career?

Global gold medal, American records, world best 600i.

Taking that over longevity and US titles everyday and twice on Sunday.

Symmonds built himself into a legend. Brazier has had some legendary performances, but needs more time to become a legend, and he needs to be healthy more often.

This is a decent question, and I think it sort of comes down to how you define "career."

If you're looking only at medals and times, Brazier unquestionably had a better peak. World champion, American Record, even a World Record.

If you're looking at more factors: longevity; expectation of performances v. reality of performances; arguments go to Symmonds. When you include pursuits outside of the track (like the world record in the 100m wife carry....just kidding....I'm talking about RunGum which appears to be successful), you could make an argument that Symmonds' career was and is more fulfilling.

Brazier ever time.

Centro over Webb & Lagat.

Turkey Trot win over Fire Cracker 5k PR.

Braziers with a slight hesitation since being in Rudishas WR race would be the highlight of a career.

In terms of pure running, sure Brazier had a more desirable career. In terms of the youtube channel and being so fun and inspirational to people (essentially looking at an all around perspective), I would take Nick Symmonds career anyday.

Not that this is all that matters, but Brazier is definitely making more than Symmonds ever did per year on his contract. But, Symmonds (so far) had a longer career and stretched out his earnings over a longer period of time. So he probably (so far) grossed more than Brazier has yet, I'd think... Plus his running career definitely jumpstarted his RumGum career. Idk how much he makes with that.

I think I'd go with Symmonds just because he seems to have more stability with his running career and now is clearly doing well for himself in a post-running career. And it's not like he has no prestige at all in the running community. He's definitely respected as one of the best Americans to ever do it. I mean his dominance in his prime was actually really impressive.

The AR, Gold and WRi is definitely tempting. But dude just fell of the face of the earth. Kind of a 1-2 season wonder.

*bangs head on table*

This is a great question. I think I go with Brazier’s. Being a world champion is something that holds weight with anyone, not solely those of us within the running scene.

Brazier and it’s not even close. No disrespect to Symmonds who still had a great career in his own right.

I’d take 15/5k double gold at Worlds over Olympic 15 gold but I’m sure a lot would agree with you.

Nick is a legend but Brazier isn't? LOL that's an insane thing to say.

Yes.

His flirtation with Paris Hilton is legendary. Brazier has nothing remotely close to it.

Symmonds all the way. And now he's got an even better career! Symmonds in really every which way.

If you're talking strictly on the track, then Brazier. However, since you chose the word "career" I would probably go with Symmonds. Brazier has done nothing but decline for 3 consecutive seasons since he won the WC and set the American record. If his decline continues I can see him not having his Nike contact renewed at the end of this coming Olympic cycle. Nobody expected anything out of Symmonds coming out of college and he had a long career for an 800 runner with a WC medal and ran 1:42 which is faster than he even thought he could run. With Brazier, it's a little like talking about MIchael Granville: Do you applaud him for his still-standing high school record or do you deplore him because he never did anything beyond high school? Brazier is not at the Granville stage yet but he could be in 2 years.

Wow, yeah. I'd definitely take Lagat's career over Centro's.

Centro picked up: 1 Oly gold, 1 WC silver, and 1 WC bronze (plus a World Indoor gold).

Lagat picked up: 2 WC gold, 3 WC silver, 1 WC bronze, 1 Oly silver, and 1 Oly bronze (plus 3 World Indoor gold, and 2 World indoor silver). Along with that #2 all-time at 1500m, and AR in 3000 + 5000.

nyck is a joke now. the mr beast of running

I forgot who Brazier was until I saw this thread. I hope his career is not over. He was so fast