London 2012 Olympic Final Men's 800 RACE RECAP! 

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In the history of the WORLD you’re the 35th fastest in this event. You’re a legend!!!

Nick, you got 5th place in the greatest 800m race of all time. Think about that!

Just watched a clip of the 800 meter final at London Olympics. "The pace was so fast, the last placed athlete would have won gold at the previous three Olympics" Arguably the best footrace ever at an Olympics. You were there. Amazing! Respect.

This race it was the fastest race ever for all positions, 1st was a wr. 2nd ran the fastest ever second place and the same for 3rd to 8th. One hell of a race to be involved in.

When you said you genuinely didn't believe the 1:42.95 that made me so happy idk why

Love hearing this unique perspective, Nick. Awesome! "Just Run" - Brilliant advice. Also... that look of disbelief on Osagie's face in the semi 😂

we all know you would've gotten first if you had some rungum...

Bruh. When I see David Rudisha I just get so jealous. How is he so smooth and how does he run so effortless. I think I heard you say when you look at him you see a Messiah Warrior and I could only dream to be as good as Rudisha or even you, I mean you ran 1.42! Also give Amos credit for equaling the former record of Sebastian Coe.

13:52 This is so powerful, and I love how he mentions this because so many people gloss over that part. Those small moments are always the best!

Nick, this was an important watch for me. In highschool, I missed my school record 5k by 0.9 seconds and missed my dream 3200 time by 0.3 seconds. It's tough to grapple with, but I love your perspective. It's about the journey, not the outcome. We're not defined by times or places, and I truly believe I did everything in my power to run as fast as I could in those days, so I can't have any regrets or hard feelings, the same way you shouldn't about not winning an Olympic medal. Thanks for being an inspiration, keep up the awesome vids ✌️

Man, too bad you can’t post the actual video. RU-vid’s copyright system is very bad. Using the video is definitely under fair use so I don’t know why they did that.

let's go another race recap, loving these videos keep going

Nick, this was such a great story to hear. Thank you for telling it!

“You can always run another race, but you can never relive a party” - Nick Symmonds (kinda)

This race was absolutely NUTS!!! Think about this....Andrew Osagie finished 8th in this race in 1 min 43.75, this would have won the Gold Medal in the recently-finished World Championships in Budapest, eleven years on!! Is that mad, or is that mad???

I like how you didn’t make excuses when you got 5th place it really shows how good and how humble of a athlete you are👍🏼. You just earned a new subscriber.

Man competing at the Olympic finals must have racked up so many nerves, your accomplishment was amazing! Are there also multiple rounds (prelims, semis, finals) for the longer events like the 1500, 5000, and/or 10000?

Fifth best in the world is incredible. Fifth best in the greatest 800 ever is mind boggling. I’ve always felt it’s unfortunate that more olympians don’t get recognized for results that aren’t winning or medaling. So few people ever can even imagine doing something like this. Congrats, Nick. I always rooted for you when you were racing, and I thank you for the fun, and the videos now. But I did say to a friend that Rudisha was as big a lock as anyone in track, other than maybe Bolt.🙂

Nick, I'm two years late on this comment, but you're an inspiration and a legend. Thanks for sharing this story, and it's been a pleasure following your post-Olympic exploits on the ol' Tube.

As an older athlete at 36 years of age, I came to the conclusion that these memories about tough training sessions, good days and bad days, competitions and the connections to other friendly athletes and people are what has made the journey so absolutely sweet. I´m pushing hard and competing as good as I can, but not just for myself anymore. There is a group of young athletes at my club, about half or just one third of my age, who are doing the sport with the same passion as I did at their age. They are having a well charactered coach and I became a part of their group. The coach is coaching and I am trying to give them a good run for their money on every track sessions. Currently, I can still push and often bypass them, but I am waiting with excitement for the day until they surpass me. The sooner the better. The torch will be passed on.

Nick ! Would love a breakdown of the 2013 World champs 800m final! 🥈

Olympians are on an entire level by themselves... You guys are actually thinking "Oh there's no way I can possibly shave off .5 seconds this year, that's just too much". Meanwhile, I'm down here in a local rural school running 800s at 3:00 knowing I can shave off more than 30 seconds this track season without training beforehand... That's just insane to me.

Watched this race and it was a proud moment for my country Kenya...Rudisha took Gold and the world record while Kiptum took bronze. The race was epic and all the athletes outperformed themselves and did really well including you Nick

I know this is 3 months late.. but running a PB in the greatest 800m of all time!? That's insanely amazing to hear. I'm glad you got to experience that! 😁

A philosopher athlete. Thanks, Nick.

As an upcomming pro-athlete.. hearing your thoughts/feelings before the race and the emotions you had, makes me feel emotional, ngl.. thank you for sharing!

Honestly, hitting a personal best on the biggest stage is probably all that we can ask for already. good job man.

I have probably watched this race probably 100 times. I used to watch it before every race i ran and every time i’m amazed with this one! It’s a great motivational race and probably the most exciting to watch.

Man I'm hooked on these recaps and the way you commentate them, this is pure wisdom like a father leaving a video to his son about life

This was the most incredible race. Rudisha ran it like a Mike Tyson one-minute knock-out. I don't think he even looked at another runner from the start to the finish. You did well in awesome company.

i love ur content. i met u in 2017 or 2018 in washington state at an xc meet. i was so surprised to meet u. didn’t know u had a youtube channel. i’m in college now but i remember that day meeting you, i PR’ed (16:24). love you man!

Something tells me this guy has ran a mile or two

I just love hearing the pros tell their stories. Loved it!

Thanks for sharing those personal moments with us. As a 49 years old veteran athlete, it's inspiring to see other passionate people talking about their passion and it's additional motivation to continue training hard.

Your part of 800 meter history period

"You're not going to win this" LOL

Thanks Nick! I have a huge race Saturday and on my run today I told myself what you said. I said, "just run!" I know it's going to hurt and I hope I hurts the most I've ever hurt. Thanks again for inspiring young athletes and putting our immature minds on the right track!

Thank you Nick! I’ve been waiting 8 years for the inside story on the greatest 800 ever... Certainly bittersweet, and I’ve often wondered if Duane felt the same way- if you two have ever discussed that race years later? PS the crowd’s epic roar in london was sorely missed in Rio, and looks like it will be in Tokyo for covid reasons too alas

Pffff only 5th place out of 7 billion people

This is such a wonderful exposition. Your blog is very good as well. Everyone appreciates all you have done, from great, great races right up until today's commentary.

The greatest 800 ever. EVERYONE brought their best including you!! ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE

Honestly I thought that 800 m is quite boring atlhletic discipline but these retrospective analyses just prove me wrong. They really are fun to watch and listen and that tho whole discipline isn´t just full gas with closed eyes from the very beginning. Perfect, love this!

I think I enjoyed this even more than if you had been able to show the full video. you do such a good job of describing everything that it feels like we are transported there ourselves.

Who knew I wanted something so bad without knowing it😱

I’m sorry you had to post this many times but thank you for posting this! This helps as inspiration thank you for sharing your feedback!! 😁😆😎

I've watched that 800m final dozens of times but had never thought about it from anyone else's perspective except for Rudishas. This was awesome. Thank you

It's a hell of an achievement. You took almost a second off your PB at the Olympics. Incredible.

Incredibly inspiring!!! That ending was epic, almost felt like I was watching a movie with a great sequel coming... going to find it now!!!

I love the way you can still conjure up the joy, excitement, and nervous energy of your Olympics. We can see it in your face and hear it in your voice. I forgot this wasn't a video, you told your story so well. I found myself feeling nervous for you eventhough I knew the ending. Thanks for sharing.

i ran and i follow track since 1977. Listen to Nick telling his stories brings me so much joy. What an amazing person & extraordinary runner. Thanks Nick

This story is up there with Billy Mills, Authur Lydiard style

Didn’t realize how much I needed this. Thank you so much Nick ❤️

Finally! I feel like running a personal best is always a success no matter what place you get. And running and racing with people faster than yourself is always a good way to get faster.

I’m so glad you did this video! You’re absolutely correct. You can only control what you can’t control.

Nick, Nick, Nick... BRILLIANT VIDEO, BRILLIANT ADVICE, and quite honestly: a BRILLIANT RACE you ran that day. All in all, you truly had a blessed and BRILLIANT CAREER, and I am confident saying that you gave it your all throughout. You are truly an inspiration to the rest of us, and we appreciate you!

Here's the link to the full race Nick. 1:42.95 would have easily won Gold in the Beijing 800M finals. This definitely was the fastest 800M race in history. Well done!!!

I like very much your fun/fit videos but these ones where you share your experiences are the best ones. I love this one!

Awesome video nick, the 2012 men’s final 800 is one of my favourite races for sure.

Thanks for recap. It ain't the victory, it's the thrill of the race. Bottom line is you ran a great race, faster than your time goal and it was your third race in four days!!! Pre missed Olympic Medal also, but that does not diminish his legend.

Bro let's just take this man's advice, I FREAKIN LOVE THIS VIDEO SAINT NICK!!!!!! YOU ARE DOPE! WWW~!

Nick really has nothing to hang his head on with this race. He ran his pb in this race. He was just unlucky enough to be in an absolutely insane heat. If this was any other year he would have medaled.

I can’t even imagine how you would feel the day before the olympics man. When I used to race in the armory I was already extremely excited and nervous!

The 2012 Olympics might be the best Olympics on the Track of a generation

Can't believe it's almost been 10 years since this happened, crazy

Nick love these videos, your recounting your experiences and the sports psychology. Ran in grade school through a couple of years in college as a walk-on in the 800m. Thanks for sharing.

One of my all-time favorite races! Rudisha saying front-running & WR the day before and then following through on it. Best times-for-place from 1st to 8th, right? And 8th place was nearly a second faster than the 2008 winner. I understand Nick's initial disappointment, but in retrospect: he PR'ed by a ton and was part of a race that's simply historic.

Nick today u r "the best" in this whole world for me .....love from India 🇮🇳

This reflection’s value is tremendous, thank you for sharing. I just run my first 800m this weekend (2’05 ) and I just loved the distance. Gonna prepare for the outdoor season for it.

Thank you for the upload and taking us behind the scenes for the greatest 800 meter race in history. Imagine the stories all the competitors will share over time about that one amazing experience.

You obviously deserve a gold medal for this story Nick!

Great vid mate. A w.r., two n.r.s, all the other personal bests except just a season best. A world record out of anyone's mind. That was that race. Awesome being a part of it

This was such an awesome video! Not only was it a race breakdown but it taught some great life lessons.

Nick I've watched this recap so many times. It just gets me amped up for my races as a 600er

Also out of the 8 runners with 7 PB's there were 6 that would never go faster than that again. I notice too that 2nd and 3rd were massive PB's I believe - they must have been shocked too in their own ability on the day. I think Amos's PB prior to that day was 1:43.11 and Kitum was 1:43:94 - both times you beat. Rudisha brought out the best performance there in most of the field.

Really enjoyed the break down Nick! Awesome to live this moment through your eyes with such detail, thank you I’m very happy for you. I remember watching that race live and I was like wow look at that guy sneaking through at the end. I was like he gave it his all!

This is outstanding, love hearing the story. Also, it's not just the greatest 800 race of all time, I believe it's the greatest race at any distance of all time. Well done.

Dude, your kick at the last 60m is f@%#^ legit!!! 5th and 8th are universes apart in the Olympic finals.

Great video and recap of the greatest 800m race of all time. Still remember it vividly to this day. As an 800m guy myself, I know very well the importance of controlling all variables within your control, trust your training and preparation and dont worry too much about the other athletes. David Rudisha was obviously in a league of his own, but you did brilliantly to get 5th and sub 1:43.

you are a great storyteller, thrilling listening to every moment of this historic race!

Still one of my favorite races of all time. Rudisha went out from the gun with the sole purpose of getting that world record on the biggest stage. He didn't care about what anyone else was doing. It was like watching superman. Everyone in that final brought their A game. Amazing to watch. Nick, You did what you normally do. Hang at the back until that finish line comes. In any other 800 race you would have won 👍

Thanks Nick! Your wisdom pack words are so true not just for a sportsperson but also in general. Your words just healed a wounded soul. Love from India!

This was truly inspirational

You need a Spotify podcast, in the past year I joined cross country and kick started my running career I would just love listening to your voice and experience while running.

One of my own fav Life Philosophies period, focus and appreciate all ways forward only on what we can control forward and don’t give any power to those and that which we can’t You’re a true Human Super Hero Mr Symmonds!!

This is the best video I have ever watched in sports. I admit, I came here because I love Rudisha and had no idea who you are 😊 nothing personal, just a Kenyan arrogance which I need to get rid of Anyway, I love the behind the scenes take. I love how you put things ib perspective, not just for you but others. I love the way you played the dynamics between the Rudisha and the rest of the team... at first, I thought it would be discouraging but seeing you ran with Rudisha both races must have helped to up your speeds and put you in the finals. Anwway, love your channel so much and you are an inspiration.

Thank You! I am a young 800 runner and I love watching you and this race!

Any other Olympics with that time you would have medaled! What a great race to say you were a part of it! You're truely awesome👌

This was a pleasure to watch, Nick! Getting your personal perspective on such a great race and experience and how you felt as an elite athlete is a fascinating insight. You are awesome. Much respect.

They had Nick in the first half, not gonna lie.

I've been waiting for this video for months. I love the behind the scenes story to this epic 800m race

Thank you so much for all your advice. As a freshmen collegiate athlete in this difficult time, it has really helped me to hear all the things you have to say.

Great stuff Nick. Very inspirational

Been waiting for this video!. It's my favourite ever race, great stories Nick

And the WR still stands!

The more successful you are as an athlete the more you get your ego humbled by the next wave of talent they throw at you. It's hard to understand how good you are when you're facing the world's best.

loved the video, heck i even got butterflies watching this

Genuinely inspiring, thanks Nick

5th All time by an American and 35th all time in the world, your a LEGEND!!

Your comeback was amazing.