Nick Symmonds getting into US because of medal

The whole point is he isn't taking someone's spot. He's just one extra competitor.

There are a bunch of guys who won't get in because of him? How does this work?

So they're taking 32 no matter what, and he isn't included in that 32? If that's the case then that's fine, but if he takes a spot of an athlete who ran just over 1:47.5 that isn't technically qualified, then I think that's kind of dumb.

Currently 30 US Men have sub 1:47.50 Times Field size is 32 so if guys from one of the last chance meets get the time it is an issue.

MidDLife wrote:

So does anyone else think it's complete crap that just because Nick Symmonds has a silver medal from Moscow in 2013 that there is a chance he automatically gets a spot at the US championships? He's super out of shape, proved that in Portland, and there's a bunch of guys on the men's 800m list who have run just off 1:47.5 who now won't get in because of him. I get it's his last season and he wants to participate in one last US championships, but he'd be taking the spot of a more deserving athlete which just doesn't seem fair at all. If I were him, I'd feel terrible. Earn the spot, don't ride a medal from 4 years ago.

Bunch of guys? How could he possibly displace more than one person, you idiot? He earned the spot by getting a medal at World's which is doing a lot more to earn it than some 1:47 scrub who well never do anything on the international scene. He's also a lot bigger draw.

Should WCs deny giving the former champion an automatic entry as well? What about the Masters inviting back ALL former winners? Surely a 55-year-old Jack Nicklaus was taking the spots of a bunch of deserving young golfers lol.

First off, no need to be hostile about this. I'm saying there are a bunch of guys right outside 1:47.5 who are all more deserving of the spot, not that he will displace "a bunch of guys." It will be just one of them that he'll end up displacing. And being an 800m runner myself, any guy who runs 1:47 anything isn't a "scrub" lol. It's not about the world scene, it's about making it to the meet for those guys. I don't think any of the 1:47 guys or Nick Symmonds will make the world team anyway. If we're getting technical, Nick Symmonds is a 1:49 "scrub" right now. You have no idea of the potential of the guys on that list. I'm not trying to bash Nick Symmonds career at all, but a medal from FOUR years ago, 2013, shouldn't automatically give him a spot in 2017, when he hasn't even come close to the standard. His race in Portland wasn't good, he went 53 high, 55 high for 1:49 mid. It's not like he even split or negative split, or didn't have any comp. He just isn't in the same shape he used to be. I get that he has proven to be a great racer, but he's had a career full of glory and opportunity already. I just think it's more fair to give one of the younger, "1:47 scrubs" an opportunity now and to let them race at the US Championships.

How is a 1:47 guy a scrub? Nick Symmonds can't even run that right now. You can't compare golf and track. My grandpa was a great golfer when he was 20 and still is now, but he definitely isn't a 2 min flat half miler anymore haha. Wasn't trying to piss off any Nick Symmonds fans, just trying to point out that a medal from 4 years ago shouldn't automatically qualify you. I actually happen to like Nick Symmonds a lot, its just he definitely isn't in 1:47 shape, and wouldn't beat a single guy on that list right now.

And people wonder why this sport is a backwater!

It is good press for Symmonds to go out on his terms. While he has been a controversial character at times, he has also been a top US 800m guy for years, arguably THE top guy until Murphy has come along. The 1.47 guys still have to prove themselves - run faster between now and the Trials to take the spot of a faster 1.47 guy. He isn't breaking any rule (not like he created the rule), just taking advantage of a loophole. Heck they allowed a very pregnant Montano to compete a couple of years ago - which drew a lot of press (both pro and con). The more press this sport gets, apart from the doping issues, the better IMO.

MidDLife wrote:

So they're taking 32 no matter what, and he isn't included in that 32? If that's the case then that's fine, but if he takes a spot of an athlete who ran just over 1:47.5 that isn't technically qualified, then I think that's kind of dumb.

How is he not technically qualified? He is technically qualified by that medal.

MidDLife wrote:

So does anyone else think it's complete crap that just because Nick Symmonds has a silver medal from Moscow in 2013 that there is a chance he automatically gets a spot at the US championships?

Nope

I'm saying he will take the spot of an athlete who isn't technically qualified because they ran over 1:47.5. I'm not saying that Nick Symmonds is the one who isn't qualified.

silly git wrote:

which drew a lot of press (both pro and con). The more press this sport gets, apart from the doping issues, the better IMO.

It is all bad press when it all happens on Hysteric Heyweird Field and broadcasts on NBC. Dumb announcers and imperial measurements make it all irredeemably corny.

If there's 32 qualifiers, Symmonds should stay home. I bet he wouldn't, he has to be the prima donna.

This WC medal qualifying procedure has been on the books for some time. Now people lose their minds when someone uses the parameters of that rule to qualify.

Should have tried to get the rule removed earlier instead of whining after the fact. I understand the underlying philosophy of why this does not sit right with people. The fact is that your time would be better spent trying to remove this rule from the books. Symonds will be at USA's. There is nothing you can legally do to prevent that.

If there's even 32 faster than him including faster non-qualifiers, he should stay home. But he wouldn't, he just has to be Nick MF Symmonds.

Bad Wigins wrote:

If there's even 32 faster than him including faster non-qualifiers, he should stay home. But he wouldn't, he just has to be Nick MF Symmonds.

We heard you the first time.

He's going to put his Run Gum temporary tattoos on his receeding hairline this year at nationals.

It's a rule, yes, but he should know when to quit. He's out of shape but too stubborn to admit it. He is not only causing a big scene by insisting on competing at this meet, but also taking a spot of a hard working, poor younger runner who just wants to make the meet for some experience for the future. Well I'll tell you one thing, I respect you and your career, but I'm rooting against you on this one Nick Symmonds!

I mean, I feel bad for you losing your spot to him. But I'm sure the 32nd place qualifier won't make it out of the first round. And, let's be honest, you probably don't have a sponsor paying your way, so in reality, Nick is saving you money from flying up there and running a slow time in a slow first round race and then going home disappointed and posting on a message board complaining that US 800m runners are all garbage for not racing all out in the first round of a national championship event.

Sound about right?

69Probs wrote:

He is ... taking a spot of a hard working, poor younger runner who just wants to make the meet for some experience for the future

How do you know the person whose spot he is hypothetically "taking" (by way of following the rules) is hard working, or poor, or younger, or just wants to make the meet for experience?