Josh Kerr - wanker or wonder?

[NigelHarmansNewWife]

Not long to go for the men's 1500m Olympic final. Kerr is not short of self-confidence.

I’m glad Ingerbrigtsen missed out on a medal.

I think to do something like that you absolutely have to believe in yourself. Looking at how the race was run he was lucky to get silver though! Really close to another bronze. Probably as he beat his main rival he is happy, and a national record of course.

Nice interview at the end there, he said totally the right things.

Really enjoying the stupid comments from armchair experts who couldn’t run a tap!

I remember some people in the 80s not liking Sebastien Coe. In spite of his two gold medals.

Josh Kerr ran quicker than him.

Ingebritsen (?) started it so he's the bigger wanker, but Kerr could have showed some class instead of mirroring his arrogance and childishness.

I was very glad neither of them won, but also glad Kerr was ahead of Ingebritsen.

Both of them are insufferable. I said to DH before the race that I hope neither of them get gold as they are so bloody arrogant. He said that's not going to happen.

What's he supposed to say, 'oh I'm just happy to be here'?

This Gold was Cole Hocker's first medal ever in an outdoor international competition. He is only 23. Good on him. Would have liked another Team GB gold though!

There aren't two choices, either "I'm happy to be here" or "I'm the best runner in the world at the moment and I will win."

This. I’ve been following Josh Kerr since his bronze last games and he’s been really interesting to follow. Watched the documentary on him too with a few other athletes and thought it was great. He did amazing and to get a NR and this PB he ran the fastest he ever did so he can’t be disappointed. The pre race stuff is all just an act a bit like boxing and I’m sure they do it in plenty of sports. Plus you got to believe in yourself to win!

They set it up for the American. As a huge horse racing fan, this was the result of setting a fast pace and then leaving a gap for another competitor to get through who is stalking the leaders.

However, Kerr was in a difficult position. To go with JI or stay further away and hope he could accelerate to win. Kerr was trapped on the inside by two Kenyans and obviously felt he needed to get out. What he didn’t realise was that JI would come off the kerb and let the winner through. In many races CH (winner) would have had to pass Kerr et al around the outside. So a very difficult race for Kerr. The winner got a bit lucky though by sitting and waiting and then space appearing.

I said to DH this was a possible outcome. Set it up for another runner. No slouch the winner!

I'm loving this confidence oozing out of British athletes of late.He gave a balanced interview afterwards to the BBC, I like him.
Keely Hodgkinson had an equally bullish filmroll before her race last night and she got the gold with some style.
It's good to see people being open about their intentions, nothing wrong with being ambitious.

Absolutely. They forgot they weren't the only 2 in the race.

Kerr did well though as he played Ingebritson at his one game and it paid off for Josh in the end despite the silver not being what he wanted.

I'm really not worried about the confidence thing though. It's been outwardly encouraged in other athletes - eg peaty.

If you're one of the best in the world and it's known I'm not sure you can really pretend you haven't noticed! And Keely Hodkinson said pretty much the same.

Difference is she backed it up with a win!

I agree with PPS that it's an act to prepare him and create some hype. Also must bear in mind that the media actively encourage this behaviour from athletes by asking them provocative questions and of course we don't hear their questions lots of the time, just the athlete's answers. I admire anyone who has the guts, drive and talent to win a place to run on the biggest stage in the world. Good on him.

Their rivalry cost them the race.

Ingebritson not even getting a medal is mental.

I think JI came off the kerb to make JK run slightly further. Pushing him into lane 3 if he could.

At the end of the day it's entertainment. At least he has a personality, adds some interest.

You can't be an elite athlete ( or any other competitive sportsperson) without having the confidence to believe in yourself. If you go into a race believing you will come second, chances are you will. They HAVE to believe they will win. Which is why it often hits them hard, really hard, when they don't.

Ah, I thought differently. With the naked eye I thought Kerr had the bronze but the photo finish showed the gap to me. Kerr's pecs hit the line an inch or so before Nuguse got there. It was very tight though.

Answer: both

Exactly - if Ingebritsen hadn’t moved, Hocker would have had to go the long way round and there wasn’t enough time/strides left for that.

They were watching each other instead of the finish line. It’s like the tortoise and the hare. Brilliant brilliant race.

What a stupid post. Of course they need to have confidence - all athletes have this. Rivalry is so important in competition, too many people think everyone should win. No, that’s not the way life works.

He is a class athlete. Had us all up and shouting. The effort and training and pressure is phenomenal and I love the honesty in wanting gold. Amazing time and race.