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• BBC
• Thu Apr 3 2025

Yared Nuguse's childhood ambition has never changed.

While the 25-year-old made the podium in the fastest Olympic men's 1500m final in history, his dream since 13 has been to qualify as an orthodontist.

But world gold is the American's target in 2025 as he builds towards a shot at Olympic glory in Los Angeles in 2028 - an achievement the self-confessed 'Swiftie' hopes will grant him the opportunity to at last meet singer Taylor Swift.

The deadline for this chapter of his life has been set, however - Nuguse has no intention of delaying his career in dentistry beyond the end of his 20s.

"I always said I will get back to dentistry. The goal is 2029 right now, so I'm going to enjoy these years of running while I have it," Nuguse tells BBC Sport.

"When I had braces I was such a huge fan of my orthodontist. I now have a smile that I'm really proud of and that is something I would love to provide to a lot of other kids. You can give them this permanent confidence boost.

"I'd always been the nerdy, smart type and I'd just pointed everything towards getting into dentist school. Running was just this fun little side thing."