32-year old Nick Willis says 2016 Olympics may not be his last

Hey, say, I can't see too good - is that the New Zealand Regina Jacobs over there?

Great news

tunnel vision wrote:

Hey, say, I can't see too good - is that the New Zealand Regina Jacobs over there?

Except he didn't come out of the blue at 36 like Regina. In fact Willis has one of the longest and most successful careers of all modern runners, something than is not consistent with drug use, which is what you're implying.

LetsRun.com wrote:

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11580852

"If you asked me two years ago I would have said, 'Nah, there is no way I'm going to get to 2020,'. Now, that doesn't seem far off at all. I definitely think I will be at the very top of my game for another two years. What's another two years after that?''

This dude Nick Willis does not sound as if he is very bright. First of all, he will NOT be at the "very top of" his game for another two years. How stupid is he? Second, even if he were to remain at the top of his game for another two years, for him to stupidly ask "what's another two years after that?" shows that he has no clue what he is talking about. What's another two years for Bernard Lagat? What about Kobe Bryant? Or Peyton Manning. This dude needs an education.

Could he be the white Lagat?

lagat also had igf-1 lr3.

is willis as sqeaky clean as seems.

for moment ignore but when running similar at 36 .for sure

Love live the Kiwi King.

Not everyone ages at the same rate, we will see what happens. 36 isn't an old man by any means. Lagat ran 3:32 at 35 and Tanui who won 800m in Barcelona 1992 ran 3:32 at 36. Willis is faster than Tanui ever was. It isn't inconceivable to see him in the Olympic final at 2020. Medalling is a different matter of course. But if he loves the sport and what he is doing, why quit because people tell him he will be too old?

He just ran his PB at 32. He will be at the Olympics at 33 and I'm sure Worlds next year at 34.

Do you really expect a top class athlete to admit that they are in decline?

He is trying to hold onto his sponsors and also trying to convince the powers in charge of New Zealand athletics to select him for future competitions.

If he admits that he is decline, he will be giving them an excuse to leave him out of Rio 2016 and select a younger upcoming runner who supposedly "has more upside" and "just needs experience"

He takes days off and such. He's physically and mentally fresh

He also isn't in decline. 2015 was his fastest year.

Nick Willis is not "stupid" and he is indeed "very bright." Probably the smartest of the English-speaking (as a first language) elite middle distance runners. Anyone who's met him or spoken with him could tell you as much.

It's worth noting that Nick isn't saying he'd run the 1,500 in 2020 necessarily. He's run 3,000/5,000 throughout his career, and done 18-20 mile long runs regularly for some time - even paced through 15-17 miles (I believe) of the Honolulu Marathon recently. He has certainly built his endurance over the years in a consistent manner, that seemingly could lend itself to a 5,000/10,000 focus in 2020 (with some decent foot speed for the bell lap!).

The day off every week that he has committed to since he came to Michigan has no doubt contributed to his longevity as well.

nick will be checking out 5k.

if the experiment words, then you'll see him at another games.

plus if he is making money, why quit your job?

Willis is very good, and he's also smart and personable. He also has the luxury of being one of the few world class athletes in T&F from New Zealand. Being a big fish in a small pond probably helps make him more valuable to sponsors than being one of many American milers, for example.

I also assume as long as he can hit the Oly standard in an event that he will be a lock for the NZ Olympic team.

If he trains smart and avoids injury, I can see him running in 2020, although maybe not in the 1500.

OK, so he is either not very bright (and many of you claim that he actually is bright), he is delusional, or he is a liar. As far as running the 5000m in 2020 at age 37, that is also a joke. Willis could not win a medal at 5000m in his prime, so how the hell is he going to do it at age 37? Willis will be fortunate if he is able to break 3:36 or 13:20 at age 37. I suppose if that gets him on an Olympic team, so be it, but don't be misled into thinking that he would be any kind of factor at the 2020 Olympics. Willis would have no chance to make the U.S. Olympic team at age 37.

Metric Miler wrote:

He also isn't in decline. 2015 was his fastest year.

I would concur with those who find Willis's progression suspicious. Willis is very likely CHEATING. That is the ONLY explanation which makes any sense at all. How the hell is this dude running 3:29? He NEVER even broke 3:32 until he was 28. It makes no sense if he were clean.

I think he is fine.

I do think it is weird you got so worked up over some comments he made though.

reader of the forums 2.0 wrote:

Yeah it is me wrote:

This dude Nick Willis does not sound as if he is very bright. First of all, he will NOT be at the "very top of" his game for another two years. How stupid is he? Second, even if he were to remain at the top of his game for another two years, for him to stupidly ask "what's another two years after that?" shows that he has no clue what he is talking about. What's another two years for Bernard Lagat? What about Kobe Bryant? Or Peyton Manning. This dude needs an education.

I think he is fine.

I do think it is weird you got so worked up over some comments he made though.

You are making assumptions about my getting so "worked up" when you have no earthly notion about my mental state. That is what is "weird."