Just over 14 hours after falling short in the 1500m final at the Paris Olympics, Norway’s Jakob Ingebrigtsen was back on the track, this time in the 5000m heats. He looked strong and confident, securing his place in the final as the fastest qualifier.
The defending 1500m champion finished fourth in a race won by American Cole Hocker. Understandably, Ingebrigtsen took a more strategic approach in the 5000m heats, conserving energy for the final. After a fast start on Tuesday night in the 1500m, Ingebrigtsen stayed towards the back of the 20-man field before making a move two laps out, leading the pack to the finish line in a time of 13 minutes 51.59 seconds.
Ingebrigtsen is known for his resilience. He bounced back from defeats in the last two world championship 1500m finals to win the 5000m, and he’ll be looking to complete a hat-trick in Paris. He’s been vocal in his criticism of British runner Josh Kerr, who took silver in the 1500m, but was gracious in defeat, acknowledging Kerr’s performance and congratulating Hocker, bronze medalist Yared Nuguse, and Kerr on their impressive showing.
The 5000m heats also saw some drama. Home favorites Hugo Hay and Jimmy Gressier set a slow pace early on, leading to a chaotic first heat. The crowded field resulted in a collision in the final lap, with four runners falling. Narve Gilje Nordas, who finished seventh in the 1500m final, avoided the crash by taking the lead and finished first in a time of 14:08.16. This secures a spot in the final for two Norwegian runners.
Grant Fisher, who won bronze in the 10,000m, also advanced to the 5000m final, showcasing the impressive strength of the United States’ middle and long-distance runners in Paris. The race saw some disappointment as Canada’s Tokyo silver medalist Mohammed Ahmed fell in the first heat. However, the four athletes who fell at the end of the first heat – Dominic Lokinyomo Lobalu, George Mills, Mike Foppen, and Thierry Ndikumwenayo – were later added to the final lineup after appeals.
