Hoare to Lead Middle-Distance Trio | Rabat Diamond League

When Olli Hoare speaks about racing, it’s infectious. There is no doubt in his voice or question in his mind, articulating the class of his competitors while reinforcing his belonging at their level. The pundits give him little chance to win at Sunday’s Rabat Diamond League, but they don’t know what he knows.

Despite racing to history over 1500m at the Commonwealth Games in 3:30.12 last August to become the first Australian miler to win since Herb Elliot in 1958, Hoare’s name was excluded by many in the “first verse” of contenders for Sunday’s 15-man bout in Rabat.

With the field spearheaded by reigning Olympic champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen (Norway) and American sensation Yared Nuguse (USA), Hoare could only join in the praise for his international rivals – ultimately eager to ensure his name is mentioned in their company:

“I do like the underdog status. It did me well at Commonwealth Games and hopefully it does me well in Rabat. I’m hoping to win, but everyone is hoping to win. That’s just something I’m much more accustomed to now, being able to get into that mindset of trying to win big races,” Hoare said.

“I think I’m in the best shape I have ever been mentally and physically at this time of year, and I’m looking forward to conveying that in Rabat.”

Citing significant improvements in his strength and threshold work since last year, the 26-year-old is placing high priority on honing his race craft and ability to win under any circumstances – beginning on Sunday in Rabat and reaching a crescendo for the World Championships in Budapest this August.   

“The one thing that I have learned is that I have to trust in my instinct to adapt to race situations. I can close races and I can run from the front, so I need to be confident in my ability and mental preparation to execute,” Hoare said.

“My process of developing as an athlete is going to continue to progress. Every race I have at this level is an opportunity for growth and learning about myself and my event. I have taken a lot in over the years and hopefully that propels me to greater times and performances this year.”

Hoare was last seen on the track at Melbourne’s Maurie Plant Meet in February, where he won the John Landy Mile in 3:52.24 just days after clinching bronze with Australia’s quartet in the Mixed 4x2km Relay at the World Athletics Cross Country Championships in Bathurst.

“The number one goal for us as a team was to elevate track and field in Australia the best way we could, which was obviously by medalling at the World Cross Country Championships. For me personally, being able to see the fan engagement there and at the Maurie Plant Meet was really inspiring, it really shows that track and field in Australia is on a turn,” Hoare said.

“The Maurie Plant Meet was definitely one of my favourite track meets I have ever done.”

Based at Altitude in Colorado with the On Athletics Club under the tutelage of Dathan Ritzenhein, Hoare has already clocked some miles in 2023, opening his campaign in New York before travelling down under and now finding himself in Rabat.

“Dathan has been great with communicating with what I want to get out of my career. Obviously there is a finite amount of time as professional runners, so be able to impact the American season but also to be able to go home and contribute to Australian athletics in a positive way is always my intention and goal,” Hoare said.

Fellow Australians Catriona Bisset (800m, Ned Brophy-Williams) and Linden Hall (1500m, Ned Brophy-Williams) round out the small but strong Australian contingent at the Rabat Diamond League, which will be streamed live and free via the Diamond League YouTube channel from 4:30am AEST, Monday May 29.

For full start lists and more information, CLICK HERE.

By Lachlan Moorhouse, Athletics Australia
Posted: 26/5/2023