The son of a two-time Olympian, Matthew Centrowitz finished fourth in the 1500m in his Olympic debut at the 2012 London Games. He will get another shot at that event in Rio.
Centrowitz went professional after graduating from the University of Oregon, where he holds two school records and was a PAC-10 chamption for three straight years. He won the NCAA 1500m title, as well as his first U.S. 1500m title in 2011.
After winning the 5000m race in 14:44.67 in 2008, Centrowitz became Oregon's first collegiate runner to win a USA Track and Field outdoor championship since Steve Prefontaine. At the World Outdoor Championships, Centrowitz claimed a bronze medal for the 1500m in 2011 and 1500-meter silver in 2013.
At 2016 World Indoors, he became the first U.S. male runner to win a gold medal in the 1500m race. He won the 1500m in 3:34.09 at Olympic trials -- a new Olympic trials record. With the win, Centrowitz has a chance to make up for the fourth-place finish in London and earn an Olympic medal.
