Mile News


EXCLUSIVE: Nick Symmonds’ track & field manifesto

October 11, 2013

"Put on the key events that everybody wants to see: like the men’s 100m, women’s 100m and the Mile."

From SPIKES Magazine

Few current athletes are as keen to stick their head above the parapet as 2013 world 800m silver medalist Nick Symmonds. The U.S. middle-distance star tells SPIKES his big ideas to improve the sport he loves: from alcohol to advertising; and what athletics can learn from the likes of NASCAR and tennis.

1) A pint and $5 on Nick Symmonds

"I can only really speak of the U.S. market but I really think alcohol needs to be sold at meets, and also there needs to be gambling. Track is interconnected with the NCAA system [in the U.S.], which does not allow for the sale of alcohol on campus. However, professional track & field in the U.S. needs to be disassociated from amateur track meets.

"If you take a look at most successful U.S. sports like basketball, baseball and football, then alcohol is available at events. As for gambling, if you look at a meeting like Zurich, one of the reasons it is so successful is its on-site gambling.

"Think about track meets. Most are held on an evening after work or a Saturday afternoon when people are on vacation. I’m not saying people need to be shot-gunning beers, but to have a beer is a right that people have.

"I don’t like American football much, it is terribly boring, but if I can have a beer in my hand and a $20 bet on the outcome I’m going to sit until the end and enjoy every minute of it.

"Some people might not like track & field that much, but if they have a beer in their hand and $5 on Nick Symmonds: they will have a great time.

"The sport needs to be marketed not just for the diehard fans, but the person who maybe does not generally like track & field: who wants to come to the meeting because it is like attending a good party.”

Continue reading at: spikes-mag.tumblr.com

Tags: nick symmonds (13)

Facebook Comments

Return the Mile to prominence on the American & worldwide sports and cultural landscape by elevating and celebrating the Mile to create a movement.

ELEVATE
Bring Back the Mile as the premier event in the sport, and increase interest in and media coverage of the Mile for both those who love the distance as well as the general public.

CELEBRATE
Bring Back the Mile to celebrate the storied distance and to recognize the people who made and make the Mile great and to promote Mile events and the next generation of U.S. Milers.

NATIONAL MOVEMENT
Bring Back the Mile to create a national movement for the Mile as America’s Distance,
to inspire Americans to run the Mile as part of their fitness program and to replace the 1600 meters at High School State Track & Field Meets across the country.

Become a Mile Maniac member or a BBTM sponsor today! Join us, and go Mile!

Join Us

Thanks for joining the movement and being a Mile Maniac. We'll keep you up to-date with our Mile wires as well as exclusive contests and opportunities. Help us spread the word by sharing our site and joining us on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram!