Former University of Oregon distance phenom Cole Hocker stole the show in Paris Tuesday, winning the Olympic gold medal in the 1500 meter race.
All eyes had been on Great Britain’s Josh Kerr and Norway’s Jakob Ingebrigtsen, who had traded world stage wins, and taunts, over the last few years.
Hocker out kicked Kerr before the finish in an Olympic record time of 3:27.65. Team USA’s Yared Nuguse won the Bronze, just one one-hundredth of a second behind Kerr. It was the first time since 1912 that two American runners medaled in the event.
Three years ago at the Tokyo games, Hocker placed sixth in the 1500. Ingebrigtsen claimed the gold that year, and Kerr was third.
