Nick Symmonds

BY JESSE ZENTZ - This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Edition Date: 07/08/08

Nick Symmonds, who won the 800-meter title at the U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials last week, won't travel to Europe for three tune-up meets as previously planned.

Instead, the Boise native and 2002 Bishop Kelly High graduate will remain in Eugene, Ore., to train until he departs Aug. 3 for the Summer Olympics in Beijing.

"We decided to bag that and just focus on training," said Symmonds, who won the trials in a career-best 1 minute, 44.10 seconds. "After I went over to Europe before worlds last year, I ended up feeling so tired. This felt like the right move. It's better if I just stay here, rest up and train."

He isn't concerned a lack of races leading up to the Olympics will limit his chances.

Entering the Olympic Trials, Symmonds raced the 800 just twice during the outdoor season, but finished 1 second clear of the field in Eugene last Monday. With the trials under his belt, Symmonds has raced five outdoor 800s this season.

"I'm feeling healthy and really hungry," he said. "I'm the kind of guy that can race really well with the right training and not a lot of races. I'll use the first 800 in Beijing as a dust buster and I'm confident I'll be ready."

The Olympics open Aug. 8, but the track and field portion won't start until Aug. 15. Symmonds will compete in the 800 prelims on Aug. 20. Semifinals are scheduled for Aug. 21 and the final is Aug. 23.

Symmonds, who won a combined seven 4A state championships in track and field and cross country for BK, said the end of the trials on Sunday allowed him time to finally relax on Monday.

His winning time at the trials ranks No. 10 in the world this year and it's the second-fastest 800 ever run on American soil.

Jesse Zentz: 377-6430