WATCH: Australia’s Ollie Hoare storms past competition in final stretch for 1,500m Commonwealth gold

Australia’s Ollie Hoare went down in history on Saturday as he battled his way into first place in the 1,500m in 3:30.13, at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, U.K.. Hoare nudged out Kenya’s Timothy Cheruiyot, the 2018 Games 1,500m champion, by .09 of a second. Reigning world champion, Great Britain’s Jake Wightman, finished in third with 3:30.53.

Hoare’s time was a two-second PB, and a new Commonwealth Games record.

“Commonwealth Games 1,500m, it’s just so tough. You line up on that line and you hear the accolades of each and every athlete, just the respect that you have to have, to get out there and even make the final is an absolute privilege,” Hoare said to press after the race.

The athlete had a disappointing performance at the World Athletics Championships in July, and following that, his grandfather died. “I would like to dedicate that race to my pop. He was a life member at Sutherland Districts Athletics Club and he was a World War II veteran, Sergeant Fred Hoare. He passed away after the world champs,” Hoare said.

“Pop, I know you are watching, I’ll have a glass of red for you, mate. That was a good one.”

Hoare is the first Australian to win the 1,500 metre event since the legendary athlete Herb Elliott. Elliott won the one-mile race at the 1958 Commonwealth Games, shortly before the switch to metric distances.

Canada’s William Paulson matched his own PB time in the race, finishing in 10 place in 3:33.97.

How to watch?

Daily live coverage will be available on CBCSports.ca, the CBC Sports app and CBC Gem, with 10 hours of additional weekend broadcast coverage.