Golden Cole Hocker

A stunning surprise victory at the Paris Olympics left spectators at an Indianapolis Catholic school cheering as a former student broke a major Olympic record and brought home a gold medal for the United States. Indianapolis native Cole Hocker astounded the sporting world when he clinched a last-minute win in the men’s 1,500-meter race at the Paris 2024 Olympics, pulling down the gold and setting a new Olympic record of 3:27.65. Hocker pulled past world champion, British Josh Kerr in the final seconds of the race, crossing the finish line with his arms outstretched. Jakob Ingebritsen of Norway, the early favorite came in a disappointing 4th, and he looked utterly dejected afterwards, even though he eventually won the 5000 meters final a few days later. In his hometown, meanwhile, a crowd at his alma mater Cathedral High School in Indianapolis watched and cheered as Hocker pulled off the incredible win. He is also a graduate of the University of Oregon, known as the ‘Ducks.’ In a post-win interview, Hocker went out of his way to say he “especially” thanked Cathedral High for his success, saying he was “truly honored” to represent the school, his city and state, and the United States in the competition. On Wednesday morning the school said on a FB post that it extended “a warm ‘you’re so welcome’ to him.” “Greatness called, and you answered, Cole!” the school said. “You make our Holy Cross value of excellence shine like GOLD!” In a 2021 interview, Hocker said he runs “because I have a God-given talent. I just feel God has given me the gift of running, and my job is to give it my best.”  Fellow American runner Yared Nuguse, meanwhile, took the bronze medal in the race, marking the first time since 1912 that two American athletes have been on the men’s 1,500-meter podium. Josh Kerr came in second and won the silver medal.