Olympics 2012: Matthew Centrowitz learns the strategy behind speed

Raw speed isn't everything in a footrace. Matthew Centrowitz, Jr. knows this. At 22, he lacks the speedy credentials of some of his competitors, but his racing tactics are sometimes smarter--which led him to take a bronze medal in the 1,500 meters at the 2011 summer world championships. Read more: wapo.st/MffGZh

[@controversialpostmodernist4896]

Definitely not the fastest runner out there, but he ran a smart race at Rio. He couldn’t run a 1500 as fast as the Kenyans, so he slowed down the first part of the race and essentially, made it a 600m sprint. Because the Kenyans weren’t built or trained for sprinting, Centrowitz held the advantage.

[@fredball8240]

If Makhloufi doesn't make too wide a turn at the 200m curve he might've caught Centro...but it was a good race at Rio. He had the kitchen sink thrown at him and he won.

[@JF-dy2dr]

he also was very aware of getting boxed in and fought off several attempts by others to take the lead going into the last 400

[@longxgun3448]

He has a 329 pr, he had the speed to win

[@alancarriedo7378]

Damn you probably feel dumb rn

[@arogueburrito]

@@alancarriedo7378 why would they?

[@matthewkinler8542]

Those virtual runners steppin on legos

[@koishooter]

First American to win the 1500 Gold in the Olympics (Rio) in over a 100 years! This piece was prophetic! He is without a doubt the greatest mile strategist in history, and his closing lap is one of the fastest ever too. To hell with the time; he totally deserves that Gold!

[@TheLmatteis]

1:10 those virtual runners look like they're running weird

[@HiGHerThanJew]

TheLmatteis they got a stick up their ass

[@dobattlers]

The graphics of runnings have the funniest form haahha

[@ProjectDystopia]

What pride in his son, I cannot imagine how his father's chest does not burst from being so swollen....

[@elliemconie]

1:10 those virtual runners be stepping on Lego’s

[@benjaovalle1136]

the literally predicted his Olympic gold medal ! it's the same even de finishing!

[@Nottherealme1]

He lives next door to me

[@bholanathhembram7366]

*Seriously*

[@Helpmereachsubscriberswi-hf4wq]

*He still lives next to you after 5 years?*

[@mutsukinakayamajavelinthro7358]

かっちょええ〜

[@reinismartinsons]

Most of the strategy is just common sense

[@GeoAce777]

wonder if he and his father have a similar running form, gotta check out his Pops races

[@ewanlorimer1152]

New drink game every time he says strategy take a shot

[@justintime7351]

He has a lot of cross path running with his feet when looking at that front angle 0:15

[@strikingitrich7630]

Fear of running??

[@damienmccue2793]

2:13 it doesn't take a rocket scientist to know you don't run distance in Nikes

[@seaturtledog]

The slow motion scene from the front looks weird. Those Nikes look too wide for his feet and I would guess he doesn't train in those except for the cameras.

[@seaturtledog]

Nike does make some good spikes but most of their line is for fashion. Really sad!

[@ParkerDewrell]

That's where your wrong kiddo

[@j.r.schneider281]

95% of long distance runners are running in nikes at the moment, 10 years ago i would agree with you but now ur comment is just not true :D

[@jordanshackelford4676]

Yeahhhhhh, sorry bro but thats not correct

[@juanmanuelvega7318]

the name of the song?

[@gbblmnstr]

I’m 11 and I have to run a 2k for track and field..

[@turnerburger]

Tranzit zombies run animation

[@ariablossom5829]

1:00

[@Stbell12]

Sure he does -_-

[@zakarykoutrakos5124]

I mean, in hind sight, he did win the 2016 Olympics lol

[@christiansantana4869]

Cole slaps him now @centro your move

[@linglingjr]

hell yeah they do, this video is pretty pointless. Much more fun to watch him race and analyze his strategy yourself