Current:Home > MyCole Hocker shocks the world to win gold in men's 1,500 -AssetScope
Cole Hocker shocks the world to win gold in men's 1,500
View
Date:2025-04-16 12:59:26
SAINT-DENIS, France − In a stunning win, Team USA's Cole Hocker not only took the gold medal Tuesday in the men's 1,500-meter race at the Stade de France at the Paris Olympics, but broke the Olympic record in doing so with a time of 3:27.65.
World champion Josh Kerr of Britain won silver with a time of 3:27.79, and American Yared Nuguse took the bronze with a personal best 3:27.80. Hocker came from behind with a blistering pace over the final stretch to overtake Kerr and break the Olympic record of 3:28.32 previously set at the Tokyo Games in 2021 by Norway's Jakob Ingebrigtsen.
"With 100 meters to go, I knew I had enough," Hocker said. "I haven't seen the race replay or anything, but I saw Jakob, I feel like he was thinking about Kerr and started drifting out, and I thought I'd take advantage of that and try to punch that inside, which I've been able to do a couple times in my career. He's a smart enough racer where he closed that down immediately, so I had to reassess. It was special to be able to attack not only once, but twice."
➤ Get Olympics updates in your texts! Join USA TODAY Sports' WhatsApp Channel
Hocker is just the fourth American to win an Olympic gold medal in the 1,500.
2024 Olympic medals: Who is leading the medal count? Follow along as we track the medals for every sport.
The race had been billed as a showdown between Kerr and the confidently outspoken Ingebrigtsen, who not only saw his Olympic record fall, but was overtaken late in the race by the American Nuguse for the bronze, and faded to fourth.
It was Hocker, however, who overtook them all.
MORE:Gabby Thomas wins gold in 200, leading American track stars in final at Paris Olympics
"I was staying relaxed, and with 150 (meters) to go, I've never heard a crowd like that. At that point I really didn't feel anything and I just went," Hocker added. "It felt like another race in terms of kicking by people. I've done it, I feel like, countless times in my career so far. And this time it just happened to be against the Olympic champion (Ingebrigtsen) and the world champion (Kerr)."
Ingebrigtsen opened an early lead and held it through the first 1,200 meters. That's when Hocker, who was in fourth place with just 300 meters left, made his big move for the upset and historic Olympic glory.
"(Kerr and Ingebrigtsen) have had all the added pressure and all the added noise," Hocker added. "I think that's part of this job is blocking out that noise, and it gets harder and harder the more you excel, and I'm sure that'll change after today. ... I've been able to fly under the radar for this meet, but I'm sure I won't anymore."
Team USA's Hobbs Kessler finished fifth with a personal best 3:29.45.
Reach Tuscaloosa News columnist Chase Goodbread at [email protected]. Follow on X @chasegoodbread.
The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast.Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.
veryGood! (296)
Related
- Your Wedding Guests Will Thank You if You Get Married at These All-Inclusive Resorts
- California regulators vote to extend Diablo Canyon nuclear plant operations through 2030
- Running is great exercise, but many struggle with how to get started. Here are some tips.
- NFL standout is a part-time 'gifted musician': How Eagles' Jordan Mailata honed his voice
- Kehlani Responds to Hurtful Accusation She’s in a Cult
- 1 dead, 1 hospitalized after migrant boat crossing Channel deflates trying to reach Britain
- Moderna-Merck vaccine cuts odds of skin cancer recurrence in half, study finds
- Deion Sanders' comments to rival coach revealed: 'You was talkin' about my mama'
- New Zealand official reverses visa refusal for US conservative influencer Candace Owens
- You'll Royally Obsess Over These 18 Gifts for Fans of The Crown
Ranking
- Report: Lauri Markkanen signs 5-year, $238 million extension with Utah Jazz
- Can Congress fix Ticketmaster? New legislation, investigation take aim
- The 'Walmart Self-Checkout Employee Christmas party' was a joke. Now it's a real fundraiser.
- Justin Timberlake Says He Means “No Disrespect” Singing “Cry Me a River”
- Apple iOS 18.2: What to know about top features, including Genmoji, AI updates
- Trump loves the UFC. His campaign hopes viral videos of his appearances will help him pummel rivals
- These 18 Trendy Gifts Will Cement Your Status As The Cool Sibling Once & For All
- Vanderpump Villa: Meet the Staff of Lisa Vanderpump's New Reality Show
Recommendation
USA women's basketball live updates at Olympics: Start time vs Nigeria, how to watch
Boston mayor defends decision to host a holiday party for elected officials of color
'Thanks for the memories': E3 convention canceled after 25 years of gaming
NCAA says a redshirt eligibility rule still applies, fears free agency if it loses transfer suit
From family road trips to travel woes: Americans are navigating skyrocketing holiday costs
Oprah Winfrey's revelation about using weight-loss drugs is a game-changer. Here's why.
These 18 Trendy Gifts Will Cement Your Status As The Cool Sibling Once & For All
Rocket Lab plans to launch a Japanese satellite from the space company’s complex in New Zealand