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SPORTSSaturday 2 April 2016
Runner Symmonds not shy about speaking up to fix track
PAT GRAHAM indentured servants of the
IOC.” He posted a link to
AP Sports Writer a story with the headline,
“NBC on track to shatter
Outspoken middle-dis- Olympics ad sales record.”
Last summer after making
tance runner Nick Sym- the world team, Symmonds
took a hardline stance over
monds tricks himself into what he called a restric-
tive, unclear policy written
believing that doping isn’t by USATF regarding ex-
actly when American ath-
going on in his event. Oth- letes are required to wear
team-sponsored Nike gear
erwise, he couldn’t climb while in Beijing. Symmonds
is sponsored by a rival shoe
out of bed every morning company, Brooks, and
wanted it clearly spelled
to train. out what constitutes a
team function.
“I stick my head in the sand With no resolution, he
stayed home for the
and pretend it’s not hap- world championships. He
watched the 800-meter fi-
pening,” the American nal and felt he could have
won a medal.
800-meter standout said “But I haven’t regretted
it for 2 seconds,” said the
in a phone interview. “It’s 32-year-old Symmonds,
who dedicated his silver
a filthy, dirty sport — the medal at the 2013 world
championships in Mos-
cheaters are always going cow to his gay and lesbian
friends as a show of support
to be two steps ahead of amid Russia’s anti-gay leg-
islation.
the testers. It’s never a level Now, Symmonds and a
company he co-founded,
playing field. Run Gum, are in the middle
of a lawsuit with USATF and
“Anyone who stands on the USOC, attempting to
break a monopoly by cer-
the starting line at an Olym- tain sponsors. In part, the suit
states: “USATF, the USOC,
pic final and thinks they’re and their co-conspirators
cannot curtail competition
racing against a clean field by picking and choosing
eligible market participants
is delusional.” and excluding the rest.”q
Symmonds doesn’t shy
away from voicing his opin-
ion on track’s inequities or In this June 28, 2015, file photo, Nick Symmonds wins the 800 meter event at the U.S. Track and
Field Championships in Eugene, Ore.
from keeping pressure on
Associated Press
those responsible for mak-
ing decisions in a sport pic Trials in July. repair its anti-doping mea- cheaters.
“Track needs a total re- sures and can be reinstat- “These days have got to
that’s engulfed by doping haul,” he said. “It’s broken ed for the Rio Games. be over, where clean ath-
beyond repair at the mo- “Now that they’re trying to letes sit there and say,
scandals with the Olympics ment.” catch them, I feel better,” ‘There’s no system,’” Coe
Symmonds didn’t com- said Symmonds, a two-time said. “Don’t sit there with
in Rio de Janeiro rapidly pete two weeks ago at the Olympian who lives in Seat- a vow of silence and then
world indoor champion- tle and is currently squeez- (speak up) when that ath-
approaching. ships in Portland, Oregon — ing in some high-altitude lete tests positive, because
he stopped racing indoors workouts in Albuquerque, you could’ve actually sped
He boycotted the world — but appreciated track’s New Mexico, as he recov- up this process for us.”
governing body excluding ers from a torn left calf. “But Keeping his thoughts to
track and field champion- the Russians over doping it’s still a long, long way from himself has never been an
charges. The International cleaning up the sport.” issue with Symmonds.
ships in Beijing last summer Association of Athletics Sebastian Coe, the presi- On his Twitter account ear-
Federations could decide dent of track’s governing lier this week, he wrote:
to make a point about the in late May or early June if body, has a simple mes- “Billions of dollars in ad rev-
Russia’s track and field pro- sage for clean athletes: enue and athletes are paid
relationship between ath- gram has done enough to Help the IAAF catch the $0 directly. Olympians are
letes, sponsors and national
bodies. Soon, he’s headed
to court as he takes on USA
Track and Field, along with
the United States Olympic
Committee, over the type
of sponsors that can be
displayed on uniforms and
other clothing at the Olym-
Pacquiao says he may fight in Olympics if pros allowed
TIM DAHLBERG heads examined.” Pacquiao said “I’m not thing, cement his status for- Bradley won their first fight
AP Boxing Writer The head of the Internation- closing the door. I’m think- ever as the country’s great- in a controversial decision,
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Manny al Boxing Association (AIBA) ing about it.” estsports hero. and Pacquiao dominated
Pacquiao says he’s thinking has proposed allowing pros Pacquiao is running for the Trainer Freddie Roach said him the second time they
about fighting for his coun- in the Olympics, though it’s Senate in his native Phil- he believes the 37-year-old met.
try in the Olympics this sum- doubtful the plan would be ippines, and a win in the Pacquiao has been re-en- Pacquiao is currently a
mer if the boxing competi- implemented by Rio be- elections next month could ergized in training for Brad- congressman in the Philip-
tion is open to professional cause qualification tourna- put an end to his boxing ley and still has fights left in pines and there is talk of
fighters. ments are either under way career as he concentrates him. Pacquiao said earlier him some day becoming
His promoter, though, thinks or have already been held on politics. But the possibil- he planned to retire after a presidential candidate
the idea of any pro fight- for boxers in most countries. ity of fighting for his country fighting Bradley, but has should he win a seat in the
ing in Rio — much less the Pacquiao, who fights Timo- in the Olympics could also since wavered. Senate.
eight-time world champion thy Bradley next week in be used to help him win “He asked me if I would Arum said he can’t imag-
— is a terrible idea. his first bout since losing to votes in the campaign. train him if they let pros in ine Pacquiao fighting teen-
“The idea you’ll allow pro- Floyd Mayweather Jr. last No Filipino has ever won a the Olympics,” Roach said. age amateurs in what
fessionals into the Olympics May, said Friday the idea gold medal in the Olym- “I said of course I will.” would surely be mismatch-
at this short notice is abso- of boxing for a gold medal pics, though boxers have Pacquiao and Bradley es in the Olympics.
lutely insane,” promoter intrigues him. won a total of five silver meet for the third time at “Pros can play basketball
Bob Arum said. “These “I’m not saying I’m going and bronze. A gold medal the MGM Grand in a fight in the Olympics, yes,” Arum
people ought to have their to fight or saying I’m not,” for Pacquiao would, if any- that will pay him $20 million. said. q
