Norway’s Jakob Ingebrigtsen won the gold in the men’s 5,000m final on Sunday with a daring surge through the last turn in 13:13.66.
The thrilling victory was a reversal of fortune for the 23-year-old Ingebrigtsen, who settled for a disappointing fourth place finish in the 1,500m on Tuesday.
It was the first time any athlete from Norway won Olympic gold in the 5,000m.
Kenya’s Ronald Kwemoi won silver in 13:15.04 while American Grant Fisher took the bronze in 13:15.13 — his second bronze of the Games.
The race was mostly tactical and played into Ingebrigtsen’s strengths to bolt in an instant and use his strong kick to outlast the field.
Redemption was in the cards for Ingebrigtsen after he was stunned by a late kick from American Cole Hocker in the 1,500 final and spoiling his hopes for double gold in Paris. The highly publicized showdown between him and Great Britain’s Josh Kerr barely materialized in the race, with Hocker playing the role of spoiler and Ingebrigtsen leading most of the nearly four laps — only to falter in the end.
“One of the biggest confusions is that it’s something you put behind you,” he said. “I still remember many of my losses in my junior career… and also my world championships in Doha. Those are the things that will haunt me for the rest of my life.”
His outspoken confidence has divided fans’ opinion of him and his war of words with Kerr are no secret in the track and field world. But it has produced a rivalry that now has had to make room for emerging standouts like Hocker and teammate Yared Nuguse.
“It’s dangerous to go into a championship race expecting anything,” he said. “It comes down to the athletes and the way they see their chances of getting the best out of themselves.”
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