The last 100m, where he gets slowed down a bit then kicks again, is likely one of the greatest athlete feats I have ever seen. Probably the greatest modern USA distance running achievements.
Not saying much.
How many OG/WC distance golds does the US have in the last 40 years?
It's like getting excited about Brazil's best ice hockey achievement.
BBC's Sportsworld interviewed Cole Hocker for 45 minutes in the following podcast - The Warm Up Track 2025: How Cole Hocker won Olympic 1500m gold - BBC Sounds
Here are some key highlights and notable quotes from Cole Hocker in the podcast:
1. On Winning Olympic Gold (32:00) "I truly felt like the only one in that stadium... 50 meters to go was just completely out of body. I kind of described it as like, it sounds kind of cliche, like out of the movies, but I was the only one in that stadium."
2. On His Running Journey (6:21) "I've been doing the sport my entire life... At nine years old, I started running. I had buddies doing it, and one thing I think, looking back on, is that we worked hard. It doesn't take long to realize if I work at something, I'm going to get better at it."
3. On the Current Era of Running (23:11) "I think everyone kind of understands it right now, who's in the 1500m, how good it is right now... You have to be top five in the world to make this USA team."
Around the 45 minute mark, he praised GST saying it's "pushing the sport forward" despite the cancellation of LA.
Bonus Quote on His Olympic Mindset (36:34) "There's nothing up for debate. Olympic record, Olympic gold. I don't even care how people view me. I know what I've done at that point."
Cole Hocker won that Olympic 1500 because ingebregtsen let him by on the inside. Without that opening, no way Hocker wins that race. Larry Rawson must have been pulling out what little hair remained on his head "...you high school kids at home..."
Not a fan of second-guessing. Every race is an infinite variety of situations and dynamics. Even-Steven. You get what you deserve.
When someone keeps saying that they don't care how people view them, they definitely care.
Of course he wouldn't trade any of this for his olympic gold, but it must bug him that he's been getting dog-walked by his main competitors race after race since the olympics, and that people are doubting him.
What it means is that He doesn’t care, but he cares that OTHER people care.
When someone keeps saying that they don't care how people view them, they definitely care.
Of course he wouldn't trade any of this for his olympic gold, but it must bug him that he's been getting dog-walked by his main competitors race after race since the olympics, and that people are doubting him.
What it means is that He doesn’t care, but he cares that OTHER people care.
Theres something in what you say. I think it’s a matter of degree. The longer and harder someone denies or protests the less credible their declaration. If they just answer a question about the matter and let it go? Sometimes a cigar…
The third US runner--Kessler, Strand, or Green most likely--certainly is not in the top 5 in the world. That was a dumb thing to say. It may reflect a lack of seriousness about the threat posed by newcomers P. Koech, Laros, and Habz.
This may have been pre Paris diamond league that this pod was recorded tbf. But even if it was recorded post Paris DL, he should feel that way because he represents team USA and it actually happened in the most recent world championship/olympics. Lot of things can and will change between now and Tokyo.
He said it because that's exactly how they finished at the race that matters most...
This might be a fantastic time to rewatch his AMAZING Olympic-winning run, and to remind ourselves what a HUGE favorite Ingebrigtsen was, and what a dark horse Hocker was, to even win a medal at all.
Yep, a great race to remember. The seasonal buildup from indoors to this race. Best rabbit in the world making sure of it. When I saw Hocker at the Trials semifinal, I was like, uh oh...control. Dude was ready.
Don't count Hocker out in championship racing from now on. JI had some injury downtime but made a comeback and everyone knows he can run fast. That was his best chance/strategy. Kerr had a great season and just didnt have it the last few meters. Nuguse did everything he could to have a chance but lost a step on the last turn. Hocker just had his mind made up even after two tries. An alley opened and he had the best, last gear. Clear and away and he knew it. Goose ran out of track but his fate was sealed 150m out. Kerr needed just one more effort but didn't have it and Hockers momentum was timed perfectly.
Great RACE. Time trials with rabbits don't compare. Could have turned out 4 different order of finish and it still would have been a great race. Looking forward to the next one in Tokyo. Probably won't have everyone there, healthy but that's the nature of the game. New guy on the block, Laros. He should be the one to fear most.
The last 100m, where he gets slowed down a bit then kicks again, is likely one of the greatest athlete feats I have ever seen. Probably the greatest modern USA distance running achievements.
Not saying much.
How many OG/WC distance golds does the US have in the last 40 years?
It's like getting excited about Brazil's best ice hockey achievement.
🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡
Actually, it’s not. That’s a poor analogy. Do better!
If winning Olympic gold is all that matters why would an athlete compete in any other race? One race is not a career. Great athletes have a career and are not a flash in the pan. So far, that is all Hocker is. A one-hit wonder.
Well you know, that "great athlete" you mentioned was actually someone you keep posting about - Jakob. He has the Olympic Gold, and keeps churning out sub 3:30, 3:29, 3:28, and even 3:27. He has the full package. Better yet, he's also a formidable 5k runner.
He doesn't have "the full package". He hasn't won a global outdoor 1500 title in years. It's his main event.
I think many people take this statement a bit more literally than he intended. I know that looks like a pretty flat, unequivocal declaration. But I think it’s not unlike some things we all say, when we’re criticized or called to account for our actions. Who hasn’t said: “Like I give two ships about what they think!”
He took them all down when it counted, same conditions, same race, same stakes, and he came away with gold. Beat that! Nobody can take that away.
I think many people take this statement a bit more literally than he intended. I know that looks like a pretty flat, unequivocal declaration. But I think it’s not unlike some things we all say, when we’re criticized or called to account for our actions. Who hasn’t said: “Like I give two ships about what they think!”
He took them all down when it counted, same conditions, same race, same stakes, and he came away with gold. Beat that! Nobody can take that away.
That is missing the point. No one suggests he didn't win that race. What is conspicuous is that he has done precious little else and nothing of note since then. He hasn't won an international race since the Olympics. Paris looks like a fluke - or worse.
I think many people take this statement a bit more literally than he intended. I know that looks like a pretty flat, unequivocal declaration. But I think it’s not unlike some things we all say, when we’re criticized or called to account for our actions. Who hasn’t said: “Like I give two ships about what they think!”
He took them all down when it counted, same conditions, same race, same stakes, and he came away with gold. Beat that! Nobody can take that away.
That is missing the point. No one suggests he didn't win that race. What is conspicuous is that he has done precious little else and nothing of note since then. He hasn't won an international race since the Olympics. Paris looks like a fluke - or worse.
So what's your point? You add nothing of value to the sport by trying to emphasize negatives about the past vs pointing toward what is possible for the future.
How about asking if it's possible that even though he has no victories since, if he is capable of doing so again especially when it counts the most? Reality is that winning is very difficult and repeating championships is even harder.
I'm pretty sure most people would still consider him a contender based on his gold and that he's still roaming around the top 5. One thing is for sure: There is no for sure. There's probably at least 6-8 people that could win any professional mile/1500 race on the planet any given day. Most people enjoy that fact and anticipate the times when it will come to fruition.
You must watch a lot of Marvel movies and think there are different timelines and realities.
That is missing the point. No one suggests he didn't win that race. What is conspicuous is that he has done precious little else and nothing of note since then. He hasn't won an international race since the Olympics. Paris looks like a fluke - or worse.
So what's your point? You add nothing of value to the sport by trying to emphasize negatives about the past vs pointing toward what is possible for the future.
How about asking if it's possible that even though he has no victories since, if he is capable of doing so again especially when it counts the most? Reality is that winning is very difficult and repeating championships is even harder.
I'm pretty sure most people would still consider him a contender based on his gold and that he's still roaming around the top 5. One thing is for sure: There is no for sure. There's probably at least 6-8 people that could win any professional mile/1500 race on the planet any given day. Most people enjoy that fact and anticipate the times when it will come to fruition.
You must watch a lot of Marvel movies and think there are different timelines and realities.
The point is that most fans expect an Olympic champion to win more than that one event in their career. He hasn't backed up that achievement. It makes his victory look like a fluke or that he was juiced to the gills.