The last time an American won a gold medal in the 1500-meter event at the Olympics was the same year that the Chicago Cubs last won the World Series. It was 1908 when Mel Sheppard accomplished the feat in London and Chicagoans were filling the streets with glee.
But Matt Centrowitz has put that streak to an end, earning Team USA's 42nd gold medal in Rio de Janeiro. Centrowitz finished the race in 3:50.00 with a 50.62 final lap, beating Algeria's Taoufik Makhloufi (3:50.11) and New Zealand's Nick Willis (3:50.24) .
ARE YOU KIDDING, MATT CENTROWITZ?!?!?!?!@MattCentrowitz WINS #GOLD in 3:50.00!!!! First gold since 1908!! #Rio2016pic.twitter.com/Z4jlnAg8rL
— USATF (@usatf) August 21, 2016
"My goal was to just get on the podium," Centrowitz said after the race. "I didn't dream, ever dream of actually winning." Centrowitz has the right genes. His father Matthew was a two-time Olympian himself. And the elder Matthew was on-hand in Rio to see his son follow in his footsteps (literally).
That is one proud dad, @MattCentrowitz! #GOLDpic.twitter.com/qN0emr3nki
— NBC Olympics (@NBCOlympics) August 21, 2016
His reaction, well that was just priceless.
Just happened to witness team #MatthewCentrowitz FREAK OUT as he won #GOLD !!! CONGRATS! #TeamUSA ! pic.twitter.com/zDZpMojy3o
— Sandi Morris (@sandicheekspv) August 21, 2016
When asked about his father's celebration, Centrowitz commented, "Seeing him in the victory lap, all I said to him was, 'are you kidding me?' He goes back to me 'are you effing kidding me?'"
Even the Cubs and their fans are excited for Centrowitz's victory, hoping it is a sign of things to come for the historic baseball franchise.
Really looking forward to a night full of this in our mentions.
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) August 21, 2016
Congratulations, @MattCentrowitz! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/tf4m1I9zqB
Centrowitz previously finished fourth in the 1500-meter race during the 2012 Game in London.