World 800m silver medallist says he has been left off the US team for the event in Beijing

Nick Symmonds says that he has been informed that he will not be included on the US team for the IAAF World Championships in Beijing.

It comes after the world 800m silver medallist and American champion refused to sign a USA Track & Field statement of conditions which relates to athletes wearing team uniforms at all team functions. Symmonds is sponsored by Brooks, but Nike is USA Track & Field’s uniform sponsor.

“I just received word from @usatf that I have been left off the #Beijing2015 team,” Symmonds tweeted on Sunday.

“Proud to have stood my ground and fought another battle for athletes’ rights. A huge thank you to the media and fans for all your support.”

On Saturday the 31-year-old had tweeted a statement which read: “USATF, Work with me to create a new Statement of Conditions. One that clearly defines all terms and protects both USATF’s obligations AND the athletes’ rights. I am willing to sign a new and improved Statement of Conditions and represent my country in Beijing. I assure you I will NOT sign the Statement of Conditions as it is written now.”

A USA Track & Field statement, published by BBC Sport, read in part: “It is the industry standard across all sports that there are certain requirements for when a team uniform and apparel must be worn.

“We all make our best efforts to balance athletes’ personal interests with those of the sport, federation and team. Often those interests are aligned, and sometimes they conflict.”

The US team for the World Championships is due to be named on Monday, August 10.

The post Nick Symmonds set to miss World Champs following kit row appeared first on Athletics Weekly.