Determination on Track: Ingebrigtsen and Hocker Push for Redemption

Norwegian champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen and American Olympic champion Cole Hocker advanced to the 5,000m final after overcoming past frustrations. Ingebrigtsen, recovering from injury, secured the last qualifying spot, while Hocker learned from his past races to progress smoothly. Key competitors also include Grant Fisher and Jimmy Gressier.

On Friday, notable athletes Jakob Ingebrigtsen of Norway and Cole Hocker of the United States advanced to the 5,000 meters final, both looking to put earlier disappointments in the 1,500 meters behind them. Ingebrigtsen, a two-time world champion at 5,000m, has been grappling with an Achilles injury that thwarted his 1,500m endeavors in both world championships and the Olympics.

Despite not showcasing his typical acceleration, Ingebrigtsen managed to secure the eighth and final qualifying spot after a tense race amidst cooler conditions. 'I gave my all but I'm not myself,' he commented post-race, unsure about his prospects in the final. Meanwhile, Hocker, who previously faced disqualification for aggressive tactics, displayed composure and ensured a clean qualification by moving into lane three.

Adding intrigue to Sunday's final are competitors like world leader Grant Fisher and 10,000m surprise winner Jimmy Gressier. However, notable absences include Sweden's Andreas Almgren, who finished ninth in his heat, and Morocco's Soufiane El Bakkali, scratched from the start list.

(With inputs from agencies.)