Who is the GOAT of the 1500m in 2024? Reflections after Paris Olympics

As dusk fell over the Paris sky, and the afternoon summer sun warmed American soil, elite middle-distance runners from around the world were toeing the line for what many would consider to be the most exciting track & field event of the year: the 1,500-meter Olympic Final. 

The hype surrounding this race was second to none, namely because it featured one of running’s most prominent rivalries: Great Britain’s Josh Kerr was set to square off against Norwegian prodigy Jakob Ingebrigtsen, 1,500-meter champion of the previous Olympic games. Given the dominance these two athletes displayed in the preceding months, many predicted either Kerr or Ingebrigtsen to leave the race a champion. Would Kerr’s devastating finishing kick be enough to overtake Jakob in the final moments? Would the Norwegian’s strength and keen racing wit crown him reigning champ? Only time would tell as fans from every corner of the globe listened for the starter’s call.

“On your marks…” The gun fired, the race began.

The race got off to what some may consider a predictable start. Ingebrigtsen set a hot pace from the outset, testing the other runners in the field. Those who could stayed the course, trying to keep in contention. Although to nobody’s surprise, the pack grew increasingly thinner throughout the race. Eventually the bell rang, signifying the final lap, and with 200 meters to go it became clear to everyone watching that there were four runners battling for three medals: the two favorites, Kerr and Ingebrigtsen, and two Americans, Yared Nuguse and Cole Hocker. The remaining 100 meters saw Kerr reach his final gear as he surged ahead of the group. It seemed as though Olympic victory was his until Hocker narrowly squeaked by Ingebrigtsen on the inside, took the lead in the final three seconds, and defiantly crossed the line first.

Athletics fans were awestruck to say the least. Underdog Cole Hocker defeated the current middle distance Goliaths, bringing a 1,500-meter gold back to America in the process — one of only five for the U.S. What’s more, while everyone’s focus was on Hocker and Kerr in the final moments, Nuguse, the other American in medal contention, outpaced Ingebrigtsen in the last 50 meters for bronze. The shock produced by this red white and blue upset was palpable.

A natural question to ask after spectating a race like this is “Does Cole Hocker’s victory make him the best middle-distance runner in the world?” and depending on who you survey, the answer is yes. However, hopefully most will be able to appreciate the complexity of such a query. There are many, many athletes with the fitness necessary to run a world’s best time on a given day, likely as a result of how widely accepted, and effective, current training regimens are. Moreover, the extensive tactics and strategy involved in any race — especially the 1,500-meter — make it such that any athlete can have their day if they find themselves in the right place at the right time. Running truly is a volatile and variable discipline, this is what makes it so exciting.

So although this article offers no conclusive answer, the way I see it, there’s a clear case to be made for each of the four athletes that separated themselves from the pack in the twilight moments of the race. It shouldn’t be hard to see why Hocker is a tempting candidate, after his victories at the U.S. Olympic trials as well as the actual Games. However, his fellow countryman, Nuguse, should not be overlooked, especially after he set the American mile record late last track season.

Fans of a more classic 1,500-meter runner will posit Kerr as distance running’s GOAT for 2024, as he is consistently able to decipher the strategies of his competitors and produce a devastating kick to break the tape, just as he did in the 2023 World Championships. Contrarily, those who prefer a tried and true racer will favor Ingebrigtsen, who took gold in the 5-kilometer race after a suboptimal 1,500-meter run, and recently attempted his first half marathon, potentially alluding to a slight career shift. Perhaps a surprise following his Olympic performance, he also won the Diamond League Championships shortly after the games, defeating both Nuguse and Hocker.

Whatever your stance, distance running fans are privileged to witness these amazing talents routinely face off in an intense pursuit of victory, which is as cerebrally demanding as it is physical.