MATTHEW CENTROWITZ PRODUCED a stunning gun-to-tape 1500m run on Saturday to claim the United States’ first gold in the event since 1908.
Centrowitz, fourth in the London Games four years ago and twice a world championship medallist, timed 3min 50.00sec.
Algerian defending champion Taoufik Makhloufi added silver to second place in the 800m, in 3:50.11, while New Zealand’s Nicholas Willis claimed bronze (3:50.24).
The last American to win the 1500m in the Olympics was Mel Sheppard in the 1908 London Games.
Centrowitz and Spain’s David Bustos set a slow early pace, Makhloufi boxed in the chasing pack with Kenyan favourite Asbel Kiprop.
The opening two laps were timed at a relatively pedestrian 66 and 69.7sec respectively.
Kiprop saw his teammate Ronald Kwemoi take a tumble that left him at the back of the pack, effectively leaving him unable to offer the 2008 Olympic gold medallist and three-time defending world champion any tactical help in the close-run race.
Kiprop decided to move, and motored up through the field as the pace accelerated.
Morocco’s reigning world and Olympic bronze medallist Abalaati Iguider and Djibouti’ Aynaleh Souleiman pushed Centrowitz through the bell for the last lap, with all eyes on Kiprop and Makhloufi.
As expected, the Kenyan made his move with 300 metres to run, the Algerian sweeping in on his coat-tails.
But Centrowitz kept his nerve as the pack entered the home stretch.
His face gritted in determination, the 26-year-old American, coached by Alberto Salazar, held on for a shock victory, timing 50.62sec for the last lap.
Kiprop was reeled in down the straight and eventually finished sixth, 0.87 off Centrowitz’s pace.
