“Mama, do you have about five minutes? I want to show you something,” my 20-year-old said.

Cole Hocker, of the United States, crosses the finish line ahead of Josh Kerr, of Britain, and fourth placed Jakob Ingebrigtsen, of Norway, to win the men’s 1500 meters final at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Hilary Koch lives in Waterville. She can be reached at: hilarykoch@pm.me

As I settled in, I was on the brink of witnessing one of the event’s most incredible spectacles — the men’s 1,500-meter track finals. My 18-year-old, with his usual blend of sarcasm and frustration, questioned who decided this was one of the “most anticipated events.” No sooner had the words left his lips than the announcer revealed the drama that was about to unfold.

The pre-race buildup was electric. Norway’s Jakob Ingebrigtsen, the reigning gold medalist, was set to clash with Great Britain’s Josh Kerr, the world champion. Their disdain for each other was palpable. Ingebrigtsen dismissed Kerr as “the other guy” and confidently predicted an easy victory. On the other hand, Kerr labeled Ingebrigtsen a “coward” for avoiding direct confrontation, though he admitted his remarks were “spicy.” The announcer described their rivalry as “spirited,” I couldn’t help but be both shocked and enthralled as the race began, barely noting the presence of three Americans in the field.

When the race started, Ingebrigtsen surged ahead with breathtaking speed, setting a pace that left the field struggling. He seemed strong and composed, but the real test was whether he could sustain it for all four laps. Kerr initially held third place, briefly slipping to fourth during the second lap. Ingebrigtsen maintained his lead, but as the final lap approached, the question lingered: Was his pace too fast for others to overtake, or had he simply pushed himself too early, and would he run out of gas at the end?

With about 300 meters remaining, I found myself shouting at the television. “Oh my God!” Kerr was making a move on the outside, but that wasn’t the sole reason for my excitement. An American who had been trailing at the start was now advancing into fourth place. The announcer exclaimed, “Hocker can sniff a medal!” Before I could ask, “Who’s Hocker?” the American surged into third.

Kerr and Ingebrigtsen were neck and neck, and Cole Hocker and another American, Yared Nuguse, were coming from behind! Ingebrigtsen perhaps mistakenly opened room on the inside, and Hocker snuck in, and Kerr turned up the pace. I pulled on my hair and screamed out loud at this moment. Ingebrigtsen couldn’t keep up, so he started to slip away. Kerr and Hocker were on fire, and Nuguse was hot on their heels. It looked like he might catch them. Hocker, as if pushed by an invisible power, suddenly had a burst of speed and won gold with a new Olympic record of 3:27.65. Kerr barely took silver with a time of 3:27.79, and Nuguse won the bronze with 3:27.80.

“What just happened?!” No one had seen the Americans coming! I was exhilarated. I watched the jubilant celebrations of Hocker and Nuguse’s families mirror my excitement. Both Kerr and Ingebrigtsen appeared stunned, particularly Ingebrigtsen.

I’ve revisited this race numerous times, including interviews with the medalists. Though the Americans’ medaling was a surprise, Hocker and Nuguse were no underdogs — they are formidable athletes. Hocker shouldn’t have been overlooked. As noted by announcer Kara Goucher during the first lap, his finishing kick, if strategically placed, could “spoil everyone else’s fun.”

Hocker and Nuguse did indeed disrupt expectations. For the first time in 112 years, the U.S. had two medalists in the 1,500 meters. Yet, what is the “fun” in question? NBC focused on the rivalry during the live broadcast, neglecting Hocker and Nuguse at the start. Initially, I was captivated by the drama, but post-race, I felt a troubling glee at Ingebrigtsen’s loss, driven by his trash-talking and arrogance. This led me to a deeper reflection.

As I watched the exhilarating 1,500-meter race unfold, it became clear that the triumphs of Hocker and Nuguse were not merely about personal victories but about embodying the very essence of the American spirit. Their performances were a testament to qualities that often feel overshadowed in today’s climate: perseverance, unity, and a quiet but resolute determination. Their success demonstrates that greatness doesn’t always manifest in loud or brash displays but in letting actions speak for themselves and rising to the moment.

In a time when divisions can seem so stark, we can either lean into the rhetoric that so frequently emphasizes division and conflict, or we can look to Hocker and Nuguse, who remind us of a powerful counter-narrative: unity, determination, and joy. Their achievements highlight the spirit of competition and excellence that inspires.

After all, the true measure of success and unity comes through actions and character, which encourages us to celebrate the values that bind us on and off the track.

Perhaps it’s time to shift our focus away from the brash and arrogant voices that often dominate the conversation and instead embrace those who lead by example, fostering a more inclusive and uplifting ideal for us all.