Matt Centrowitz's Rio Gold made him the BEST U.S. Middle Distance Runner Ever

Jeez this place can be so cynical. I watched the Rio finale live and I thought it was electric, I loved the anticipation and was on the edge of my seat. Then for Centro to basically lead the whole way, control the race and then run a ridiculous 50-second last lap to hold off some of the best 1500 runners of all time was AMAZING. I think the reason people like to crap on this race so much is because Centro never broke 3:30, but given that in that race he outkicked Makhloufi who ran 1:42/3:28 that year, I think he had the fitness to run 3:28-9 but never chose to peak for a TT.

Also the claims that the race was flukish are silly. The top 3 were all prior medalists, and the top 6 were all easily the top 6 guys in the field - I don't see how the places would have changed much if the race were ran like a TT.

No matter how you look at it, the winner of the race is always the person who responded best to how it played out. There were many good 1500 runners in that race with better PRs that allowed the race to go slow from the gun. They didn't have to let it happen, but they did. Centro took advantage of that and responded best to the circumstances of the race. Cannot fault him for that at all, and to me is just as deserving of gold as if the finishing time was 3:30

He is as much of an American as you. You need to know your place.

Marty Liquori comes pretty close. Ranked 1-5-1-5 in 1500/mile, 3-1-2 in the 5000.

Centro is ran a 7:39 3000m

Someone who grew up in the US and represented the US during their entire career would suffice. Since he was a citizen at the time, his medals should still count for the US but I think there should be an asterisk next to his name when we're considering who the best US athletes are.

By this same logic, I don't really consider David Torrence to be a true Peruvian athlete either.

You are not very bright. Did Torrence move to Peru and raise a family there?

Idk why raising a family in the US would make a difference, but does moving to the US also make Kerr, Hoare, Garcia Romo, McDonald American runners?

“This place is so cynical. I can’t believe people don’t all love Centro’s gold just because the race was slow. It’s a silly opinion. Oh and Lagat isn’t a real American.”

Hilarious.

The Rio 1500 stunk.

And Jim Ryun is easily the best American middle-distance of all-time.

"Centro turned it into a kicker's race"

Really? Seems like he was just lucky that no one else made a move. Impressive last lap though.

that makes way more sense. must've missed something on world athletics page

2016 Summer Olympics 1500m final gold by Matt C has grown on me over time. He raced boldly from the front. Best ever is a heavy crown. I know you said best U.S. but when I think best ever, if that race were raced every other day for five races, would Matt C have won all five? I believe Herb Elliott would have won 5 out of 5, 1960. I believe Peter Snell would have won 5 out of 5, 1964. I believe S Coe would have won 5 out of 5, 1984. Since 1960, I can only say that for 3 Olympic 1500m finals. If we include 800m athletes, I believe Mal Whitfield would have won 5 out 5 in '48 & '52. Mal Whitfield was the best U.S. middle distance runner.

If you support US athletes yes it is quite an enjoyable bit of running to watch.

But intrinsically, it's a very boring sit and kick where nobody showed any particular skill or superior ability. There had yo be a winner, and well it's Centro. Good for him. Bad for the sport.

If this is what makes Centro the best US middle distance runner of all time then it's pretty sad. That would put the US globally as a very weak middle distance nation (which it isn't).

Wasn't he Shelby's boyfriend too?

Well, I think it's fair to say that we've been far from the best, and that 1500 and up has been the weakest part of USA track and field for forever.

Track places way way too much emphasis on the Olympic games. Look at real professional sports like football, soccer, basketball, baseball, hockey, and the list goes on. They don't only have their biggest event four years apart because that's a waste of money but they don't offshore it to an international body either. Even in the sport like soccer that has a big international presence The individual leagues iron control of their own championships and they have them every year.

Track and field should treat the Olympics like basketball and football treat the Olympics, a fun side Joe to the real action.

Ok yeah. But Centro gets tested more than most in the world. He doesn’t scoot off to remote Kenya for training camps etc. he’s in park city getting tests sometimes daily. If he can noticeably dope through all that… then kudos.

Realistically we know his trajectory from college matches up. He legit outkicked Lagat when he was still in college.