When Jakob learns how to race the 1500 without pacers, he will be unbeatable there too. He is still young and can beat the World record in 1500-3000-5000
Jakob clearly understands 1500 tactics. In 5000, he's the fastest guy, so he can run a kicker's race.
In 1500 he has the awareness to know he is not the fastest guy and chooses a race plan that gives him a chance to win. His concern the first 400 is that if he does not go to the front, the field will run a 60 first lap.
He does not have much margin for error, though, in a 1500. Adrenaline got him and he just went out TOO quick, which cost him in the last 100. He may also have been surprised that Hocker, Kerr, Nuguse and even Kessler hung on to that pace anyway.
Jakob is still 'the guy' in the 1500, as he will always be a factor in every big race. Win or lose, it's still Jakob that drives interest in 1500s.
As long as he can still run 3:29.xx, he'll stay at 1500. More fun, more competition and more media attention.
It looked to me in the 1500 as if he wanted to do a Rudisha; win the gold AND set a new World Record at the same time. His tune up 3:26 a coupla weeks ago also hints at this.
Not sure he would have done that without already owning a 1500 gold medal from Tokyo, and tactically it obviously wasn't the smartest move (since it didn't pan out on the day) - but damn was it ballsy!
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I think he would have had a MUCH harder time in that 10000, I wouldn't be so quick to give that away to him. That was a hard race and as a 3:26 guy I think that might be a little too far for him (just my opinion, not trying to take anything away from him). I really think his sweet spot is 5000 and definitely agree he has the potential to be the first under 12:30, which would be pretty damn cool to see.
Fisher moved up nicely but honestly, Rupp and Fisher are very similar in terms of their level of success. Rupp took silver, let's not forget that. And he took a marathon bronze as well.
Anybody think Fisher nabs silver with better timing/positioning? Looked like he finished with gas in the tank.
Yeah, I could see that. If I remember right he addressed this in the post-race conference. He said something along the lines of he wanted to cover Gebrhiwhet's move, to maintain better positioning, but wasn't able to.
I don't see how he could have substantially improved his positioning leading up to the break. Seems he was able to wind it up pretty well, but wasn't able to manage the snappy gear shift some of the other athletes had.
With Ethiopia's only Gold coming in the Marathon I think it's a 90% sure guess that their next generation's biggest talents will see that and decide to do as the Kenyans have already done and the Ugandians are about to and skip track in favour of moving directly to the Half and Full Marathon for economic reasons.
If Jacob stays he will have no competitor for the olympic title in 2028, 2032 and maybe even 2036 and 2040.