Oliver Hoare breaks the record

Hoare from Caringbah had been showing form at the right time ahead of Australian qualifiers for the Olympic Games, returning home at Christmas and competing locally before returning to his USA based On Athletics Club in Colorado.

The professional runner was in second position heading into the final lap when he put the foot down, sprinting away and crossing the line in a time of 3:32.35.

The 24-year-old's time was an Australian indoor record for the 1500m and the sixth-fastest ever-run in history.

The fastest time ever run on Australian soil outdoors is 3:31:25 by two-time Olympic champion and world record holder Hicham El Guerrouj.

El Guerrouj held the indoor world record at 3:31:18. His outdoor record is 3:26.

Hoares is an Olympic qualifying time, but the Athletics Australia rules give preference to those who compete at the upcoming Australian Track and Field Titles in April.

A NSW Athletics representative said there was no doubt he can take the Australian outdoor 1500m record (3:30.51) and will be selected not after the nationals but in July with 75 per cent of the team.

Australian distance star Stewart McSweyn has also broken the Australian 1,500m and 3,000m record and has been selected in the 5000m and 10,000m for Tokyo.

McSweyn was tipped to be selected in the 1500m, but due to the timetable, he can only do the 5000m or the 1500m/10,000m.

Oliver said the winning time gave him a bit of a shock, but obviously, all the training is paying off.

"Hopefully, I have a quicker time in me- this was the season opener and hopefully, I can run a bit quicker outdoors."

"Olympic qualification isn't that easy for overseas athletes-you have to win the trials and get a time.

"Australia has so many fantastic athletes and I know that they want us back here and racing."

Hoare's father Greg said Ollie couldn't just come back to run at the nationals in the distance events, go through quarantine in a hotel room for two weeks, and then be expected to race and run world-class times.

An Athletics Australia spokesman said being overseas won't hurt Hoare's chances.

"In regards to AA nomination policy, it says that athletes are required to come back for the Australian Track and Field Championships but can seek an exemption if they can't get back.

"Given COVID-19 is an extraordinary circumstance, we'll have a lot of athletes apply for exemptions."

In 1960, Australian Herb Elliot was the last Aussie to win the 1500m gold with no Australian competitor gaining a place in the event since.