We don't give enough credit to the 3:49 mile Centro ran

how much additional credit would you suggest we give, OP?

It was a great performance. Too bad that for whatever reason, Centro was only able to hold a strong level of racing for a couple of months.

If Matt C. is not done, I would like to see him at least fix those outdoor p.r.s in 400m & 600m. Can he still race 400m sub-50 seconds? Can Matt C. run a sub-80 600m?

I believe the gold medal trumps the 3:49 but the OP’s mileage may vary. Let’s bump Centro’s credit score from 820 to 830 due to the 3:49.

Was there anybody not giving him credit for this race?

Thing is, I don’t actually think a 3:49.26 time trial is necessarily out of line with his performances at the USOTs and the OGs. 3:49.26 is worth about 3:32.28 for 1500, a time that 16 people bettered last outdoor season. He was barely beaten by a 3:31.4 guy at the OTs, and he drew the wrong semifinal at the OGs and could only muster 3:33.69 in a race that featured 4 of the eventual top-5 finishers, in which Abel Kipsang set a new Olympic Record. I don’t believe he “bonked” at the Olympics, I just don’t think he was ever quite good enough last year.

I see so many people who say this. I disagree. We have to stop converting mile times to 1500 times with the professionals. I realize the mile is not ran as much, but that 3:49 is fast. Tim C didn't even break 3:50 at the Pre Classic after the OLY. Hocker/Teare indoor mile attempt couldn't even go sub 3:50. That 3:49 with no one pushing him the last 600 is impressive.

Pre classic usually isn’t crazy fast anyways, too hot.

If Matt C. wanted to place fear in the hearts of his 1500m global competitors last summer, Matt C. would have set up a clown show time trial, but instead of racing a 3:49.xx mile. [Who hasn't raced a 3:49.xx mile?] Matt C. should have attempted a sub 77.50 600m. Sub-77.5 600m would have shown the world he was back and ready to race for Olympic gold. Jacob Ing. would have been trembling with fear. Jacob Ing. is incapable of a sub-77.5 600m. Jacob Ing. can TT a 3:49.xx mile 8 days a week, twice on Tuesdays.

But the 3:49.26 was paced terribly with a 54.5 first 400m and 1:51.6 at 800. It also only featured 1,000m of pacing which is weak. So he had 660 to cover after a botched pacing job. All things considered I think he was in 3:48.0 shape or perhaps better without atrocious contributions by Thompson and Bartlesmeyer. Do we really think Jerry/BTC who are masters at record-chasing would be so far off the mark? I don’t - they thought he had a chance and 3:47-3:48.5 were likely outcomes. I think for Centro he looked completely gassed in his semi and in every other race after. It was strange.

Johnny Gregorek has run 3:49 and doesn't get enough respect for it

Edward Cheserek has run 3:49 and notably has range going 60:37 for HM ....and doesn't get enough respect for it

Both those guys ran those in pristine indoor conditions with perfect pacing. Centro ran his taking on the wind for 660 after his “pacers” hurt more than helped by blowing their wads.

The thing about mile times is that most of the world stopped running them decades ago, and even the top Brits and Americans rarely run miles. This means people's perception of a good mile time is about 20 years out of date. I see people compare sub 3:50 with sub 3:30.

If Centro had done a 1500 TT instead and run 3:33 or 3:32 no one would really care or remember.

True.

But same can be said with Teare and Hocker who essentially ran an indoor TT whereas Ches & Gregorek we're in an actual race.

Of course, Centro is superior to all mentioned here in PRs, medals, kick, tactics, and career...to date

Fine, here’s my two cents.

Centro was injured in 2020, so 2021 was a comeback season for him. It can be hard to get back to an earlier level of fitness after a year off. Given that, his season wasn't that bad. He may have beaten Hocker in the Oly trials if he'd waited a bit longer to sprint on the final lap. But he didn't.

The negative seems to outweigh the positive even if it's just a few trolls but- LetsRun (in general) seems to absolutely HATE giving credit to great American runners and their performances.

When they don't medal they suck. When they do medal the field was weak, whatever.

Centro should go down as one of our greats in the mile. Sub 3:50 and Olympic Gold.

Perhaps he ran out of Shelbo burritos?

Yes it was a rather fast mile and good effort by him. But this was built up as an attempt to get the US mile record and he fell well short of that, so people withheld their praise and credit.