Grant Fisher delivers USA second 10,000m medal in nearly 60 years at Paris Olympics
In a fantastic finale to the day of Track & Field at the Paris Olympics, Grant Fisher earns the bronze medal for the United States. The former Stanford Cardinal held strong in the fastest Olympic 10K in history.
Joshua Cheptegei took the win in 26:43.14 for Uganda, which is a new Olympic record. Berihu Aregawi nipped Fisher at the line to take silver. Five athletes came in under 26:44.00. This was one of the great 10,000m races of all time.
From his time as Footlocker National Champion in high school to his collegiate career as an NCAA champion – now Grant Fisher earns his first global medal on the biggest stage.
Fisher joins Galen Rupp as the only two runners to medal in the Olympic 10k in the last 56 years.
This race played out much differently than other championship 10,000m races. Many times, runners opt for a slower, more relaxed pace. It can somewhat turn the 6.2-mile event into a one mile race as runners try to use their speed to out kick each other in the final four laps.
However, fans who tuned into the 10k today were treated to a delightful event. A warm day in Paris and the longest Track & Field event ahead of them, this field put on a show.
The pace was quick and honest from the start. It was clear that the Olympic record of 27:01 was going to be in trouble. That is putting it lightly when you realize 13 runners were able to break the former Olympic record in this race.
Grant Fisher uses his kick to medal in Paris
If you have followed Grant Fisher’s career, then you know how dangerous he can be in the last lap or two of a race. While this 10,000m had an honest pace throughout the race, the lead pack started to push the pace with 500m to go.
By the time there was one lap, 400m between the leaders and the finish line, it was an all-out sprint. A true battle of will and determination. It was as close as you can get to throwing haymakers in a distance running event.
Fisher has made a career out of having a crushing final mile, half-mile, last lap – whatever it takes to get the win. There are few, if any, in the United States that are able to withstand a kicking battle with Fisher.
Today in Paris, we learned there are only two people in the world this year who can withstand it. Grant Fisher barely gets passed at the line by a hard-charging Aregawi. Cheptegei gets the win for Uganda. A wonderful 10,000m race in Paris.