Nick Symmonds not running, especially from controversy

Nick Symmonds is the kind of athlete who attracts people to track and field, at least for an afternoon or evening, and especially for an event as compelling as the World Championships, which begin Friday in Beijing.

[...] yet, in a development so typical of corporate bullying, the federation has required athletes to sign a contract pledging their agreement to wear Nike gear at “all official team functions” in Beijing, which obviously includes the competition.

The doctrine advises athletes to “pack only Team U.S.A., Nike or non-branded apparel” except for shoes, sunglasses and watches.

“They’re trying to tell a 31-year-old man what he can and can’t wear 24 hours a day, what I can sleep in, what I can go to the bathroom in, what I can have my morning coffee in,” Symmonds told the New York Times.

Aside from being a diligent advocate for gay rights, gun control and animal rights, he has long fought the injustice of USATF funding and cites research showing that the federation will spend only 8 percent of its projected 2015 revenue ($42.92 million) on athletes.