"Stupidest race Jakob has ever run" "The favorites fall and America prevails": Fans react to Cole Hocker's shock gold medal win in 1500m Olympic final

By Abhiruchi Rout

Modified Aug 06, 2024 20:28 GMT

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American middle-distance runner Cole Hocker pulled off a major upset in the men's 1500m, claiming the gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics. In a thrilling final, Hocker won one of the most anticipated track and field events with a sensational Olympic record time of 3:27.65.

Reigning World Champion Josh Kerr, who seemed poised to win the gold, finished a close second with 3:27.79. Tokyo Olympic champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen, who was the pre-race favorite in the event, finished fourth, clocking 3:28.24, and was unable to defend his title in Paris.

Following Cole Hocker pulling off an upset in the men’s 1500m finals, fans were quick to share their emotions. One commented that it was one of the worst races Ingebrigtsen has ever run, stating that he started at a strong pace too early in the race.

“This is surely the stupidest race Jakob has ever run, that pace from the start was way too risky”, they wrote.

Another fan noted that while the favorites in the 1500m fell short, the American athletes excelled in the event. Besides Hocker winning gold, the USA’s Yared Nuguse won the bronze medal with a time of 3:27.80, while another American Hobbs Kessler finished fifth with a time of 3:29.45.

The fan added:

“What a race! 🤯🤯The favorites fall and America prevails. Ingrebristen went out too fast and died at the end. Still in shock after that race. Congratulations to Cole Hocker!”

Another fan chimed in stating that this might be one of the biggest upsets which happened in this Olympics. They added:

“Cole Hocker might've just pulled off one of the best upsets at these Olympics. Gold and the Olympic record in the men's 1500m, when no thought he would do it. What a race!”

Here are some more fan reactions from the nail-biting 1500m race -

“Ingebrigtsen thought he could pull out a Rusdisha by leading the race from start to finish,” one fan noted that Jakob Ingebrigtsen tried to follow legendary David Rudisha’s strategy but failed.

“Jakob Ingebrigtsen talked so much shit and became the 1500m pacemaker, got smoked by Hocker and ended up not even medaling”, a fan added.

“So many Americans up front! The 1500m is arguably the best event in track!!!”, another fan commented.

A look into Cole Hocker’s other top achievements

Cole Hocker, Geordie Beamish, Hobbs Kessler pose for photos following the Mens 1500m Final at World Athletics Indoor Championships 2024. (Photo by Sam Mellish/Getty Images)

Cole Hocker achieved his first global podium finish this year at the World Athletics Indoor Championships by coming second in the men’s 1500m final. He clocked a personal best time of 3:36.69 to finish only behind New Zealand’s Geordie Beamish (3:36.54).

At the 2024 U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials, Hocker established himself as one of the athletes to watch out for in the 1500m at the Summer Olympics by winning the trials in a meet record time of 3:30.59, ahead of pre-race favorite Nuguse, who finished second with 3:30.86.