Paris 2024 Olympics: USA's Grant Fisher defies the odds to secure a podium finish in the men's 10,000m

 One year ago this month, Grant Fisher was lounging on a couch, uncomfortably watching the 2023 World Athletics Championships. The moment was tough for the American long-distance runner, who admitted he wasn’t feeling like the "happiest athlete."

At 27, Fisher had been struggling with injuries and narrowly missed making the USA team for the worlds. As he contemplated his future, his motivation was the Olympic Games Paris 2024 and the 10,000m race he had yet to qualify for.

"It was a dark but familiar place," Fisher reflected. “For a whole year, I’ve been thinking about this race.”

On August 2, inside a packed Stade de France, Fisher defied expectations by delivering a surprising performance in the men’s 10,000m final. Despite stumbling late in the fastest 25-lap race ever at an Olympics, he secured a bronze medal behind Uganda’s Joshua Cheptegei and Ethiopia’s Berihu Aregawi.

Fisher’s achievement was long-awaited. “I’ve always been on the outside looking in with the medals,” he said. “To finally do it, it feels so good.”

He is the first American to medal in the 10,000 meters since Galen Rupp won silver at London 2012.

Fisher’s journey began with a love for running, although he was also passionate about football. In 2012, he missed the Michigan state cross country meet to play in a football state final. His true potential emerged with performances at the 2013 World Youth Championships and the following year’s world juniors.

Fisher, born in Calgary and later moving to Michigan, initially struggled with Olympic qualification but validated his potential with a fifth-place finish in the 10,000m at Tokyo 2020.

Despite injuries that disrupted his progress, Fisher’s determination led him to work with his high school coach, Mike Scannell, in Park City, Utah. His mindset evolved over the past three years, leading to significant improvements in his performance.

At Stade de France, Fisher showcased his new approach, maintaining proximity to the lead pack and overcoming challenges. “I think in the past three years my mindset shifted a lot to I kind of belong in these positions and I have become a better athlete,” he said.

With the 5,000m race starting on August 7, Fisher hopes his success inspires a new generation of American long-distance runners. “People are capable of great things, and you have to put yourself in the positions and believe in yourself for good things to happen,” he said.