Boise native Nick Symmonds wants to add an Olympic medal to his list of accomplishments
Nick Symmonds wins the mens 800-meter finals at the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials on June 25 in Eugene, Ore.
Matt Slocum AP
Some fans will see Nick Symmonds at the 2012 Olympics and consider his medal chances in the 800-meter run. Others will see him and wonder whether Paris Hilton is in London to see him compete. Thats precisely the way Symmonds wants it.
I want that fan base to be from many different aspects of life. People are following my career closely that have never heard of track and field. Im just the crazy kid that asked out Paris Hilton. For people that have never heard of track and field, its a way to relate, said Symmonds, a five-time U.S. national champion in the 800 and a two-time Olympian.
He also just happens to be text message buddies with Hilton, the socialite/reality TV star/fashion designer who is immenselyfamous for simply being famous. The pair had lunch in Beverly Hills earlier this year when Hilton found out Symmonds was campaigning for her to come to the Olympics.
They had a drink, exchanged phone numbers and have been texting ever since, he said.
She said she was planning to come out to the Games, and Im hoping to meet up with her there, Symmonds said.
Symmonds is also hoping to medal in London. He reached the semifinals in Beijing in 2008 but failed to qualify for the eight-man final. Symmonds has reached the final in the last two world championships.
I certainly wouldnt say its my last shot, but its probably my best shot, said the 28-year-old Symmonds, whose late-charging style often leads to dramatic finishes. If Im going to medal, these Games are my best chance.
Symmonds, who begins his quest Monday morning in the preliminaries, won the 800 at the U.S. Olympic Trials in 1 minute, 43.92 seconds. Kenyan David Rudisha is the heavy favori! te and h olds the world record at 1:41.01. Conditions in London might help Symmonds, however.
Im praying for wet and cold conditions, said Symmonds, who trains in Oregon nine months a year.
Symmonds knows that running well in the Olympics will help him not only secure celebrity dates, but also spread another message that makes him equally famous reforming track and fields rules concerning athlete sponsorships.
Symmonds and other Olympians are barred from using their name and likeness for any non-Olympic sponsor from July 18 to Aug. 15. He has been a high-profile advocate for allowing more sponsorship opportunities for athletes in the sport, even selling a temporary tattoo on his bicep to an advertiser.
He plans to run with a piece of tape on his left shoulder, a form of silent protest. Symmonds is among the athletes in a Twitter campaign to raise awareness using the hashtag WeDemandChange.
He has been less vocal in recent months as he prepares for London, saying that fight will go on long after his competitive days are over.
The minute I get done with my finals I will go back to my mission, which is to change track and field for the better. Exploiting the athletes is not OK, Symmonds said last month. The better I run, the louder my voice is.
Symmonds is intent on changing the sport the way athletes get paid, the way the sport is marketed and the way people are perceived.
Even though were Olympians, were in the entertainment business. If people dont tune in to watch us compete, then we dont have a sport, Symmonds said. I came to the realization that in a sport where you have 120 athletes representing the United States, what makes you stand out?
Thats why he hired a publicist to start developing his brand. The first question: What does Symmonds want to convey to fans?
That message is simple: Live every day to the fullest.
Its why Symmonds is often traveling the globe, climbing mountains, fishing, kayaking and asking out celebrity women. He keeps hi! s nearly 22,000 Twitter followers (@NickSymmonds) informed of his adventures.
The outspokenness on issues and moonlighting as a celebrity have earned Symmonds some detractors, but he says he wont change.
And as much as he works at cultivating the fan base that wants to see where Symmonds is headed next and with whom, hes working plenty hard to satisfy the die-hard sports fans who want to see him produce on the track.
Unlike 2008, when making the Games was his top priority, Symmonds has built his training schedule the past four years around making the 2012 finals and getting a medal.
Im going to attack the track, Symmonds said.
Like he does everything else.
And if a certain someone is in the stands for his events, well, Symmonds isnt going to complain about attracting new fans.
Brian Murphy: 377-6444,Twitter: @MurphsTurph