Just like Centri, Hocker will forever be known as the guy who got lucky

I don't know what poster's agenda is.

Both Centri and Hocker were top 10 world level 1500 runners, over 2+ Olympic cycles. You could even argue top 5-6.

Their goal should be to make an Olympic final and then somehow find a way to win - which they did.

What is the alternative? To jog the final as they are not top seeded? To not have a race and give Gold to top world ranked runner?

That’s true, but my point is that Hocker will end up like Centro, Olympic champion that was a fluke.

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Just like Centro, Hocker will forever be known as the guy who won when it counted most.

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.

If you are top 6 in the world rankings and make a championship final, you always have a chance. It's what is called an upset.

Hard really to call either Centri or Hocker fluky. Centri went with his plan, and surprisingly it worked.

Hocker went for the kick, and really to his credit actually had to kick twice.

For me they are both upsets, but well earned.

The Rio race was odd/fluky, but that win was his race plan.

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.

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I know I should not, as they say, feed the troll, but ...

umm, Olympic Record? Not luck.

He ran a 3:27 and set the Olympic Record in the process.

Centro ran a 3:52 with a 52 second close. He won and the 1500m was race much differently.

Centro’s last lap was 50. and he controlled the entire race. It was a masterpiece of championship 1500m.

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.

Centro did get lucky. Hocker pushed the pace just like a man should. No luck, just race tactics for Hocker.

Ya Hocker got lucky.

Who has won anything with bad luck?

Kerr, Goose, got lucky too.

Jacob didn't get unlucky, he went insane.

Hocker out ran them all, and make his own luck except for the break on the inside.

Regarding Centro, his win was zero luck. He outran 800m 142 guys in the last 400. and trained for that. took control from the front.

And since when being a very great championship runner makes you fluky or lucky?

Winning when it matters with high pressure.

These guys are olympic champions for all the right reasons.

Imagine getting 3rd, then 4th, then 2nd, then. 1st and people say its lucky.

Centro was always in the mix.

It’s luck, why has he lost every race since then?