Nick Symmonds is a six-time outdoor national champion at 800 meters. He finished fifth at the 2012 London Olympics in a personal best of 1 minute 42.95 seconds. And he has been named to the United States team for the world track and field championships this month in Beijing.
Except Symmonds may not reach the starting line.
He is involved in a dispute with American track officials that has nothing to do with running or doping, but rather with corporate sponsorships.
Specifically, it is a conflict between an athlete’s personal endorsements and rules about uniforms and gear that must be worn while representing the national team at events like the world championships and the Olympics.