American Cole Hocker scores major upset in 1,500-meter final and sets Olympic record

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Cole Hocker, of the United States, celebrates setting an Olympic record and winning the men's 1,500-meter final at the Paris Summer Olympics. / AP

SAINT-DENIS, France — When runners left the blocks for the 1,500-meter Olympic final on Tuesday, star British middle-distance runner Josh Kerr was the clear favorite.

His big rival in the race was Jakob Ingebrigtsen, the superstar from Norway.

But the first to cross the line — with an Olympic-record setting finish of 3:27.65 — was American Cole Hocker. It was one of the biggest upsets so far on the track at Stade de France.

British fans in the crowd groaned as Hocker, a 23-year-old from Indianapolis, slipped ahead of Kerr in the final stretch.

American Yared Nuguse finished third for the bronze. Ingebrigtsen finished in fourth place, out of medal contention.