Matthew Centrowitz, Jr., is an American Hero. He led the entire 1500 meters through an incredibly slow pace and held off the field in the final straight to win gold in the men’s 1500 meters, bringing the US its first gold medal in the middle distance events in years. He ran 3:50.00 to win the slowly paced race thanks to an incredible kick. It was the first American gold medal in the event since 1908.
Olympics 2016: Team USA’s Matthew Centrowitz shocks to win gold in men’s 1500m race
UNREAL. It was the first American gold medal in the event since 1908.
Taoufik Makhloufi of Algeria won silver in 3:50.11 and Nick Willis of New Zealand won bronze in 3:50.24.
Centrowitz, whose father was also an Olympian, finished fourth in the London Games and was second at the 2013 world championships. He has been the top U.S. miler for nearly six years after winning bronze at the 2011 world championships. All that was missing from his resume was an Olympic medal -- and he delivered with gold on Saturday.
Asbel Kiprop of Kenya was the massive favorite. He won gold in 2008, but only after Rashid Ramzi, the original gold medal winner, was busted for doping. Kiprop was injured heading into the 2012 final and failed to win gold. Taoufik Makhloufi won that 2012 race. Makhloufi won silver in the Rio 800, too.
The pack came through the first lap in a pedestrian 68 seconds with Centrowitz leading, and the pace continued to plod, which forced Ronald Kwemoi of Kenya to fall with less than 800 to go, but he caught up easily as the pack came through the first 800 in 2:16. Then Centrowitz started to push the pace.
He was able to hold off the field over the final lap and race to a shocking gold medal win.
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