U.S. runner Nick Symmonds “announced that he would retire from the track” after the ‘17 outdoor season, leaving as “perhaps the most outspoken, polarizing and essential American track and field athlete of the past decade,” according to Jere Longman of the N.Y. TIMES. As an “activist for athletes’ marketing rights, as well as an advocate for gay rights and gun control, he operated from the front, a loud, bold provocateur.” Symmonds “railed against the marketing limits of a sport dominated and restricted by shoe companies, particularly Nike.” He said, “I guess I feel kind of inadequate, in the sense that we never really accomplished all the things I wanted to accomplish. We made a few dents here and there, but the big changes never came about.” Symmonds added, “I just see track and field continuing to be a semiprofessional sport. It makes me a little sad to see everybody fighting for scraps when we have such an incredible product that is just not marketed right and not governed right.” Track & Field Athletes Association President and Gold Medal-winning shot putter Adam Nelson said, “In the last decade, Nick had a big influence on what athletes believe they own and what rights they are entitled to.” He added, “It would have been great if he had found more ways to involve more athletes” (N.Y. TIMES, 1/4).
