Olympics: Josh Kerr 'loved every step' of thrilling 1500m final, reflects on 'back and forth' with Jakob Ingebrigtsen
Updated 07/08/2024 at 11:17 GMT+1
The men's 1500m final was one of the most exciting events of the Paris Olympics as USA's Cole Hocker snatched victory ahead of favourites Josh Kerr and Jakob Ingebrigtsen. Team GB's Kerr told Eurosport that he was "proud" of his performance after a "phenomenal race". He also spoke about his rivalry with Ingebrigtsen and how it started with him feeling "disrespected" by the Norwegian last year.
'Hold my head high' - Kerr opens up about silver medal and getting pipped in 1500m finale
Video credit: TNT Sports
Great Britain’s Josh Kerr said he “loved every step” of a thrilling 1500m final at the Paris Olympics as Norway’s Jakob Ingebrigtsen admitted to being “outsmarted”.
Kerr and Ingebrigtsen have built a simmering rivalry over the last year but the time for talk was over on Tuesday evening as they clashed on the track.
The pair looked set to battle for gold down the home stretch, only for USA’s Cole Hocker to snatch victory. Kerr took silver while Ingebrigtsen finished fourth behind USA’s Yared Nuguse.
“It was just such a phenomenal race," Kerr told Eurosport.
"Without Cole beating me I would have been the fastest 1500m runner in the history of the Olympics, so to be the second fastest is going to have to be good enough for now.
“The crowd was so behind what we were doing and I loved every step of that. When we were getting introduced everyone was excited to watch us race and that’s what you want to be a part of at the Olympics, races that people want to be seeing.”
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Watch thrilling 1500m final as Hocker defeats GB's Kerr and Ingebrigtsen
Video credit: TNT Sports
Kerr ran the race in a British-record time of 3:27.79 and said he was beaten by the “better man” in Hocker.
Reflecting on his rivalry with Ingebrigtsen and where it started, he said: “Over the years there has been a bit of back and forth and I felt a little bit disrespected last year after my first world title.
“There is something about someone saying they are not 100% when you go out and get your first world title that makes it sting a bit. You are like I want everyone to be at their best and I want to beat everyone at their best. That’s where it started for me and I just started being honest with the questions I was asked and instead of giving everyone the benefit of the doubt I was being myself without much filter.
“I think that annoyed some people and turned some heads. Running and athletics is a gentleman’s sport so there’s not a lot of that, but it is what it is."
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'Hold my head high' - Kerr opens up about silver medal and getting pipped in 1500m finale
Video credit: TNT Sports
Team GB athletics captain Kerr had sounded in a confident mood ahead of the race, saying it was “my time” and he was going for gold.
Although he was pipped to the line by Hocker, he said he produced a performance that he was “really proud of”.
“It’s a really honest sport. We just show what we have out there and I knew I could do that. I knew that on August 6, 2024 I was going to be able to put a lifetime of work into a race and execute on the day.
“I felt that was going to be enough for a win or a medal, I knew if I executed I could walk away happy and I am OK chatting a big game and having a bit of fun with it. That’s all part of it, it keeps me motivated and gets me out the door.”
Ingebrigtsen says he was 'outsmarted'
After plenty of talk over the last year, Ingebrigtsen was aiming to deliver on the track by defending his Olympic 1500m title.
He set the pace for much of the race, but that appeared to take its toll as he ran out of steam down the final stretch.
Ingebrigtsen, who earlier this year said he could beat Kerr blindfolded, couldn't hang on for bronze as he finished outside of the medals.
“Well, I guess he did show up after all…!” wrote Ingebrigtsen on Instagram in reference to Kerr.
“Hocker and Nuguse as well. My team always say that 'because you have a big mouth and is the one to beat, you have everything to lose in competitions'. Today, Cole Hocker, Yared Nuguse and Josh Kerr outsmarted me. They were 'the best guys' when it really mattered. And I want to congratulate them all on a great performance! Of course, I am disappointed!
“Thank you also to all my competitors for putting on a great show today. Congratulations to the guys bringing home the medals!”
discovery+ is the streaming home of the Olympic Games, and the only place you can watch every moment of Paris 2024 this summer
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