The Olympic 1500m champion: Cole Hocker?
One of the most highly anticipated track events at the 2024 Paris Games, the men’s 1500m final (6 August) went completely off-script as the USA’s Cole Hocker stormed to unexpected victory in the Stade de France. Running a new Olympic and American record of 3:27.65, Hocker emphatically eclipsed the two favourites going into the race: Great Britain’s Josh Kerr and Norway’s Jakob Ingebrigtsen.
The 1500m champion at the US Olympic Trials, Hocker seemed as shocked as us all as he claimed the win, having swept passed his opponents on the inside lane in the closing seconds of the race.
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Kerr, the current 1500m world champion who had been open about his desire to strike gold in Paris, finished second in 3:27.79 – just 0.14 seconds behind Hocker. Although silver was not the colour medal he wanted, the Brit performed outstandingly to achieve a new personal best and British 1500m record, slicing more than a second off Mo Farah’s previous mark of 3:28.81. It was also a fine upgrade on the 1500m bronze that he achieved at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.
Yared Nuguse, also of the USA, dug deep for bronze in a personal best of 3:27.65, while Ingebrigtsen – the European 1500m record holder who toed the line as the reigning Olympic champion – didn’t even take a medal this time round. He finished fourth.
Sport is indeed cruel, as Ingebrigtsen had led the way for most of the race. Covering the first lap in a rapid 54.90 seconds, he then maintained his place at the front for the next two laps, slowing only a bit to tick them off in 56.56 and 55.89 seconds respectively.
By the beginning of the bell lap, though, Kerr and Timothy Cheruiyot – the 1500m silver medallist in Tokyo – were starting to snap at Ingebrigtsen’s heels, hungry for the overtake. As Ingebrigtsen moved wide out of the final turn, Kerr turned up the acceleration and eventually passed him on the outside. However, that left the rail free for Hocker, who took this opportunity to unleash his kick and catch Kerr by surprise just before the line.
It’s safe to say that not many of us – in the UK, at least – were aware of Hocker and his talent prior to this final. You could say that he, along with Nuguse, had slipped under our radar – but Hocker was never in doubt.
‘Winning gold was my goal this entire year,’ said Hocker, who also scooped 1500m silver at the 2024 World Indoor Championships in Glasgow. ‘I wrote that down and I repeated it to myself, even if I didn’t believe it. My performances showed me that I was capable of running 3:27, whatever it took. I knew that I was a medal contender, and I knew that if I got it right, it would be a gold medal. I’ve been saying that.’
For the days and months leading up to this 1500m contest, Kerr, Ingebrigtsen and the rivalry between the two had been a hot topic of conversation within the world of track and field. At the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Ingebrigtsen got the gold, while Kerr got bronze. But, Kerr has won a 1500m gold medal at a World Championships – which is something that Ingebrigtsen has not yet achieved.
And so, before tonight, you’d be forgiven for thinking that it would be a two-man race, with both exceptional athletes trying to go one-up on the other. The beef between Kerr and Ingebrigtsen seemed real – not just a media show.
However, following the race itself that left us all speechless, both athletes showed a refreshing amount of respect for one another. They were grateful, too, for the support they’d received and the huge sporting occasion in which they’d played their parts.
‘Well, I guess he [Kerr] did show up after all…! Hocker and Nuguse as well,’ wrote Ingebrigtsen on Instagram, disappointed by his result but keen to thank his team, loved ones and nation. ‘My team always say that “because you have a big mouth and is the one to beat, you have everything to lose in competitions”. Today, Cole Hocker, Yared Nuguse and Josh Kerr outsmarted me. They were “the best guys” when it really mattered. And I want to congratulate them all on a great performance!
‘Running is the ultimate sport. Everyone can participate. Everyone can set their own goals and achieve them. All you need is to show up.’
Meanwhile, steadfast Kerr was also able to appreciate his 1500m feat. ‘A silver finish, but the journey was pure gold,’ he posted on Instagram.
This epic 1500m final is proof that Olympic stories, like all others, are often filled with cliffhangers and plot twists. Not all athletes will get their happily ever after – but more chapters will come in which they can rewrite their fortunes.
We have also been reminded that there are more than two 1500m runners on the scene – and all of them are fired up, fast and ready to fight for more major championships wins. Kerr is only 26, Nuguse is 25 and Hocker and Ingebrigtsen are just 23, so we are bound to see them race around the running track for many more years to come.
From a British perspective, let’s hope that Kerr can complete the set and follow his Tokyo bronze and Paris silver with an LA gold in 2028.
