“Racing the Olympic gold medalist is different than racing Cole two years ago,” Grant Fisher said on February 6 this year in an interaction with Citius Mag. Despite having a clean slate against Cole Hocker, the double Olympic medalist exercised caution. Two days later, he had his race scheduled against Cole in the men’s indoor 3,000m event at the 117th Millrose Games. He had no way to leave the field. In the end, this mindset may have helped him to defeat his American rival. In the final 50m, Grant crossed Hocker and bagged the title, setting a world record in the event. That loss must have brought tremendous pressure on the latter. Isn’t it?

February 8th could have marked a turning point in Cole’s life. In the subsequent days, he saw his nemesis coming back to the indoor track to set another record, this time in a long-distance indoor event. And he, the Olympic winner, had no chance to stand up to Fisher. He wasn’t on the list. But that might not end his chances. Rather, the fans claim that Hocker is moving on a steady path to fulfill his revenge. How so?

Cole Hocker’s latest decision comes with multiple meanings

On February 18, FloTrack’s X-handle dropped the update. It revealed Cole Hocker’s name as the latest entry in the men’s indoor 5,000m event at the BU Terrier DMR Challenge. On February 21, he will enter the track to compete against names like Cooper Teare and the wunderkind Narve Nordas. Altogether, there’s another mouth-watering track battle on the card for track and field fans. But let us make it spicier by including another fact. 

Last year, Cole didn’t enter any men’s indoor 5,000 event nor was he there for any such event in 2023. However, in 2024, he competed in several men’s outdoor 5,000m events. In most of those events, he didn’t find notable success. In fact, his effort to make it into the men’s squad for the Olympic 5,000 event didn’t meet success. His seventh position in the US Olympic trials was nowhere close to giving him the final ticket to the French capital. But on the other hand, Grant was having tremendous success. 

First, last year, Fisher claimed the bronze medal in the men’s 5,000m event at the Paris Olympics. This year, he extended his sweet affair with the event by setting the world record in the indoor form of the event. Just a week after humbling Cole in the Millrose Games, the 27-year-old established the record in the 2025 BU Valentine Invitational. And now Cole is ready to run in the men’s 5,000m indoor event. Could you spot any link here? Several track and field fans have spotted it already. 

Track and field fans are calling it a ‘Screw you, Grant’ event 

“And this particular race is affectionately called “Screw you, Grant!” Someone wrote on Reddit after Cole Hocker had decided to enter the BU Terrier DMR Challenge. So things seem clear to the track and field fans. They are calling Cole’s entry in the men’s 5,000m indoor event the revenge game. Why so? 12 days ago, he had his turn to take on the world record in the men’s 3,000m indoor event. His 7:23.14 attempt surely broke the previous world record set by Lamecha Girma in the event. But Grant Fisher came from behind and spoiled Hocker’s day. His first place in the event came with setting his timing as the fresh record (7:22.91 minutes). Now, Cole is up for the show. 

Meanwhile, another fan claimed this show, “Screw You Grant Would be amazing to seeee!!!” It is ultimately about the men’s 5,000m indoor event. Grant dropped his timing as the world record while Hocker wasn’t there. Now, the latter wants to do the same when Fisher will not be in the event. Nonetheless, the job will be tough for the Minnesota native. How?

In the comment box, someone penned, “I’d be shocked if Cole goes out at anything close to Grant’s pace; this will be his first indoor 5K. The main goal will be to get the 13:01 Worlds standard out of the way before outdoor season.” Well, on February 14, Fisher took 12:44.09 minutes to set up the fresh record in the men’s 5,000m indoor event. On the other hand, Cole has zero experience in the indoor version of the event. In outdoor, he has 12:58.82 as his personal best. But will it motivate him on the penultimate day? The fans are doubtful about that. 

Even someone mocked Cole Hocker’s decision on X. The comment, “Heard he asked for a 12:35 pace.” Remember, the track and field world has yet to see the 12:35 pace in the men’s 5,000m indoor event. Still, whatever comes out of the race, it will be pure entertainment. In the last few weeks, the athletic world has already seen several records crumble in the middle and long-distance events. The upcoming one could be another one on the list. However, some fans are already feeling bored with such frequent fireworks in the distance events. Shedding light on that, someone wrote, “I’m assuming these guys will all stop racing for several months now. They’re racing more often than some of these college athletes lately.” Surely, there will be some who will want to see these two Olympians battling again and again on the track. The coming Friday might be a treat for them.