1500M
IT MAY have been the slowest Olympic final since 1932 but the United States did not care as they celebrated their first champion in the blue riband event of track and field since 1908. “I wasn’t even aware I was the first US winner in all that time,” said gold medallist Matt Centrowitz. “We have had so many great runners over the years, too.”
The 29-year-old led pretty much all the way, holding the kerb and gradually accelerating as his rivals wasted energy jostling for position behind. After a painfully slow first two laps of 66 and 70 seconds, Centrowitz still found himself in the lead at the bell and by that stage he was committed to staying there and produced a 50.6 final lap to see off Taoufik Makhloufi and Nick Willis in 3:50.00.