Cole Hocker’s 1500M Stunner Ignites USA Olympic Memories
Unexpected Triumphs in Olympic Track Events

One of the great elements of the 2024 Summer Olympics is the unexpected. In Olympic news in Paris on Tuesday, Cole Hocker shocked the world’s best in the 1,500-meter run to win gold for the USA. How shocking was it? In its first seven hours on YouTube, the racing had been viewed more than 1.16 million times. Shocking Olympic victories like these captivate audiences worldwide.
The come-from-behind win whether by a human or a horse is one of the most thrilling finishes in all of sports. The adrenaline surge as the competitor races by the field to steal victory from the jaws of defeat is difficult to explain. You don’t have to be involved in sports betting odds to feel the rush the athlete brings their audience.
A look back at some of the more memorable charges to gold by runners from the USA, starting 60 years ago in Tokyo.

Billy Mills Wins the 10,000
One of the longest of long shots was the victory by Billy Mills in the 10,000-meter run. Mills was an unknown. He wasn’t the best hope for the USA coming into the race. That was Gerry Lindgren, who finished ahead of Mills in the Olympic trials.
No USA runner had won the 10,000 before Tokyo and none has duplicated Mills’ feat since. He was up against world-class champion Ron Clarke, who even shoved Mills out of the way late in the race. To give you an idea of how improbable Mills’ late charge was, he finished the race in 28:24.4, or 50 seconds faster than any 10,000 Mills had run. Shocking Olympic victories like Mills’ are rare and unforgettable.
@wildridestv A Native American from tiny Pine Ridge, South Dakota, Billy Mills surged down the stretch to win the 10,000-meter run at the Tokyo 1964 Olympic Games, one of the biggest upsets in Olympic history. Mills is the only American – the only man from the Western Hemisphere – to have won this Olympic race. Hear his story of what he had to overcome to be an Olympic medalist on Life in America on Wild Rides TV. #billymills #williammills #southdakota #olympics #olympicgold #goldmedal #runner #inspiration #wildridestv @Billy Mills ♬ original sound – Wild Rides TV
Dave Wottle’s 800M Gold in Munich
The Munich Olympics were marred by murder and tragedy. When the 1972 Summer Olympics are remembered the slaughter of Israeli athletes is the immediate memory.
The Games went on from start to finish despite the horror. For the USA, one of the great moments was middle-distance runner Dave Wottle capturing the 800.
Wottle was last when the race started. He can easily be noticed by the golf cap he wore while running. He came into the race at less than 100%, having battled tendinitis in his knees in the leadup.
Wottle remained last on the first lap. He started to make a move on the backstretch of the second and final lap. He was fourth at the top of the stretch as the front-runner had what looked like an insurmountable advantage.
Wottle never gave up and got up for the gold in the shadow of the finish line.
He was so stunned by his victory that he forgot to remove his trademark golf cap during the national anthem.
New Customers Only. Visit BETMGM.COM for Terms & Conditions. 21+ Years of Age or Olders. MI, NJ, PA OR WV Only. Excludes Michigan DISASSOCIATED PERSONS. Please Gamble Responsibly, Gambling Problem? CALL 1-800-270-7117 FOR CONFIDENTIAL HELP (MI). 1-800-GAMBLER (MI, NJ, PA, WV)
The 4X100 relay in Munich
Emotions can be high even when a result isn’t in doubt until the final stride. In the tainted Munich Olympics, American runners had missed their start time for an event. Then Russian Valery Borzov added insult to infamy by winning both the 100 and 200.
The last chance to salvage sprint pride was in the 4X100M relay. Eddie Hart took the baton for the final 100 and sprinted away from the Russian. It was a relay but made Olympic news around the world as the “world’s fastest man” and his teammates had been vanquished.
Noah Lyles Captures the 100M in Paris
You don’t have to be a long shot or run in a long race to provide a thrilling finish for the United States or any country in an Olympics. Case in point was Noah Lyles win in the 100-meter dash earlier this week in Paris. Even the NBC play-by-play voice botched the finish, saying the Jamaican runner had won gold.
That left the audience at home stunned as the audio on NBC went silent while Lyles took off his name and showed it to the world. The stadium had posted Lyles’ victory while a nation at home was left bewildered by total silence.
For more 2024 Olympic events , betting odds and analysis, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.