Nick Symmonds to compete on American Ninja Warrior

Two-time American Olympian Nick Symmonds announced on Tuesday he’ll be competing in the upcoming season of American Ninja Warrior, one of the most watched shows in the United States. The NBC show pits contestants against a series of increasingly difficult obstacles they must complete before advancing to the next round.

To enter the competition, Symmonds submitted a video of himself training with his long-time strength and conditioning coach Jimmy Radcliffe, also the strength and conditioning coach at the University of Oregon.

I’m excited to announce that I’ve been asked to compete on Season 7 of American Ninja Warrior! Filming takes place March 13th and 14th here in beautiful Los Angeles, California. My primary athletic goal is to represent my country on the track at #Beijing2015 and #Rio2016. Therefore, I will be navigating the course on almost entirely T&F training. I’m excited to see what a mid-distance runner can do on America’s favorite obstacle course! #ANW7

A photo posted by Nick Symmonds (@nicksymmonds) on Feb 17, 2015 at 3:02pm PST

Symmonds made clear his main goal for 2015 is to qualify for the world track and field championships and that his competing in the television show will not change his training. The first round he will compete in is set to be filmed in Los Angeles on March 13 and 14, before his track and field racing season begins. If he qualifies for the final round in June, he will compete in them not long before the US track and field championships on June 26, 27 and 28.

The show is generally considered to be best suited for gymnasts and climbers, not aerobically fit middle- and long-distance runners.

Symmonds has made noise outside of the running sphere before for his outspoken views on different topics. He was a vocal critic of Russia’s anti-gay laws during the 2013 world championships, in which he won a silver medal, and the Sochi Winter Olympics. He’s also advocated for better sponsorship deals between shoe companies and athletes.

There was also talk of him being on another reality TV show, The Bachelor.