Gold 2024

Blog Post #81

Cole Hocker, a middle-distance runner who relies on his faith in God and calls his running talent a divine gift, said, “God has given me the gift of running, and my job is to give it my best.”

His training showed he could be a medal contender in the Paris Olympics, and if he got it right, it would be gold. But two fierce competitors, the reigning world champion (Josh Kerr, Britain) and the gold medalist in Tokyo (Jakob Ingebrigtsen, Norway), were expected to take top honors in the men's 1500-meters track event. Instead, in a wild ending, a thrilling race for the ages, Cole Hocker won gold in Olympic record time.

“Winning gold was my goal this entire year. I wrote that down and I repeated it to myself even if I didn’t believe it — just to have it settle into my subconscious."

Ever since middle school, Cole has been writing down his goals as a runner — and what he needs to do to reach them. "I’ve held myself to a high standard. Every race I've entered, I thought I could win.”

His father, who started coaching Cole when he was in the third grade, said, “I still have a sheet of all the goals he wrote down in middle school, and even prior to that. He wanted to be a champion at something.”

In 2021, as a 20-year-old sophomore at the University of Oregon, his written goals for his track season included doing well enough in the Olympic Trials to represent the United States in the men’s 1500-meters track event at the Tokyo Games.

“After years of thinking about running in the Olympics and dreaming about it,”

Cole said at the time, “to have it all come to fruition is awesome.”

That summer, at the starting line of the 1500-meter race, just before pursuing his dream of racing in the Tokyo Olympics, Cole paused for his usual pre-race routine — saying a prayer, asking God to be with him. He finished in 6th place with a personal best time. (A bit of perspective: In elite races such as this, the winners and losers are usually determined by milliseconds.)

Now at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Cole was in fifth place entering the bell lap of the men’s 1500-meter final. He blazed down the home stretch, positioning himself in third, with the finish line approaching fast.

"I saw Josh and Jakob just having their own battle. They were so focused on each other that the inside (track) began to open. I thought to myself okay, let's medal now. But Jakob sensed me there and closed it down. (Within seconds) as I began to recalibrate, to pick a new route, the inside lane again opened up and I just let God carry me through the finish line.

"It's rare how it unfolded. But I knew, initially, when it opened up, that's my path to gold. Like I know I'm going to out kick these guys. But when he shifted in and closed me out, I had to reassess. It's not easy to find that gear again once I'm already committed. I don't know what it was, divine intervention or what, but I got the next gear.

“It’s an unbelievable feeling. I felt like I was getting carried by the stadium and God. My body just kind of did it for me. My mind was all there (totally concentrated in the moment) and I saw that finish line."

"As I've progressed through my career, I've gotten closer and closer and now it (winning Olympic gold) just truly is an honor."

Cole Hocker, Olympic Gold Medalist
Cole Hocker men’s 1500m | Paris Olympics | NBC Sports (youtube.com)

"What is it about you that performs the best on the biggest stages?”

When Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, the gold medalist in the 400-meter hurdles in 2024 Paris Olympics was asked that question she replied:

"Honestly, I think my faith is the biggest factor. Just trusting the Lord and trusting the plan He has for me. It doesn't always guarantee things are going to go amazing, but I just give all the honor and glory to Him every time I step on the track.

And I'm amazed with what He's doing in my life."

Peace Affirming Prayer

Peace fills my mind and flows through all my thoughts.

Peace fills my heart and flows through all my love.

Peace fills my soul and goodwill flows to all.

Peace fills my being and permeates all my activities.

Peace within. Peace without. Peace everywhere.

Peace in my mind. Peace in my heart. Peace in my soul.

Peace in me. Peace in my home. Peace in my country. Peace in my world.

Peace everywhere.

Amen.

Ukrainian folklore characterizes pysanky as a symbolic, talismanic writing that invokes a higher Universal Power for help, while believing with faithful certainty that It will. The contemporary version of this characterization is a paper-and-pen journaling practice called prayer writing that develops a personal relationship with God.