US Runner Shatters Records in Men’s 5,000-Meter Race

Norway’s Jakob Ingebrigtsen clinched gold in the men’s 5,000 meters at the Paris Olympics, immediately raising his index finger in a No. 1 gesture upon finishing.

PARIS, France — Jakob Ingebrigtsen earned his gold medal in the men’s 5,000 meters at the Paris Olympics on Saturday. His decisive move came midway through the final lap when he surged ahead, overcoming his earlier fourth-place disappointment in the 1,500 meters.

“When you hit a wall, and don’t perform the way you want to, it’s very difficult,” stated the 23-year-old from Norway. “But … I got another shot. I just had to make the most of it.”

Ingebrigtsen delivered, completing the race in 13 minutes, 13.66 seconds, 1.38 seconds ahead of Kenya’s Ronald Kwemoi, who took silver. Grant Fisher of the U.S. secured the bronze with a time of 13:15.13, his second bronze in these Olympics after winning one in the 10,000 meters on August 2.

Fisher’s accomplishment makes him the first American to medal in both the 5,000 and 10,000 meters at the same Olympic Games.

Ingebrigtsen’s win adds to his gold in the 1,500 meters at the Tokyo Olympics three years ago. This time, his strategy involved pacing himself before making a powerful final push. The slower-than-expected race featured laps exceeding 65 seconds as competitors shared the lead.

“I just tried to stay calm,” Ingebrigtsen commented. “Went for it. I was able to catch up.”

With about 300 meters left, Ingebrigtsen took control, steadily increasing his lead to finish 15 meters ahead. His performance in the 5,000 meters stands out as his stronger event, given his victories at the past two world championships. This gold offers him a chance to move past his earlier setback in the 1,500 meters.