If I had to make a guess I'd say Hocker wins another global outdoor medal but not another gold.
As far as who will be remembered Centro's gold definately has a flukish feel to it. It was a painfully slow race where the heavy favorite ran like an idiot.
Hockers gold on the other hand came in one of the most anticipated distance races in Olympic history. It had starpower and hype. The race was absolutely thrilling to watch. Hocker didn't win because the favorites ran poor tactical races, but because he was just a little bit better than they were.
So in summary global gold's, especially in the 1500, are extremely hard to win. Most likely Hocker never wins another outdoors. But the Paris win was so iconic it will not be forgotten and given his closing speed it is highly likely Hocker gets another medal.
So much of sport is about 'the moment,' being in the right place at the right time. Examples. Rodgers hurts his foot in 76. Wins New York and everything else just months later. Ovett doesn't make the 1500 final in 76. In 77, virtually unbeatable. For Hocker and Centro both it was a matter of it all coming together when it mattered.
Both will be known as being Olympic 1500m champions! All other races are preparation for this race. It’s the only race that matters. Every athlete on the planet would trade all their other wins for a win inside the Olympic Stadium.
LOL - yes, he will probably never win anything as big again. Very few have ever repeated as a global 1500m champion - only one in recent history since EL G was Asbel... and he wasn't even clean.
LOL - yes, he will probably never win anything as big again. Very few have ever repeated as a global 1500m champion - only one in recent history since EL G was Asbel... and he wasn't even clean.
So yes - he'll likely not repeat.
But a 3:27 is not luck.
Oh, and by the way - exactly what time would have to have been run in Paris to burn Cole off? In the final 100m, he got initially blocked, had to fade back, regroup and still managed to outkick everyone in a fast pace. Genuinely makes me wonder if he had to run a 3:25 to win, he might have.
Agree with prior posters. Not sure what sort of race could have beaten Hocker that day save for a rabbited 3:26.00 low. But, there aren’t rabbits in the Olympics - it’s a foot race - and even then, it’s not clear he would have lost. A 3:27.65 while getting boxed in and completely losing momentum with ~120 to go and then reaccelerating the last 80 to blow by that trio of guys is frankly ludicrous. He’s been tired since, but that was a truly all time performance. It also points to the quality of the other three guys. I know it wasn’t the favored outcome of everyone watching, but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t perhaps the best 1500m race ever contested.
This post was edited 40 seconds after it was posted.
LOL - yes, he will probably never win anything as big again. Very few have ever repeated as a global 1500m champion - only one in recent history since EL G was Asbel... and he wasn't even clean.
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