Arop To Race In Third Career World Championships Final
August 24, 2023 | Track & Field
BUDAPEST, Hungary – Marco Arop will race in his third career World Athletics Championships 800m final on Saturday after winning his heat to advance in the semifinals on Thursday.
Â
The former Mississippi State All-American and No. 1 800m runner in the world had made up the stagger and taken the lead just 200m into the race. By the bell, he held nearly a two-second gap over his closest pursuer. He comfortably cruised across the line in 1:44.02, posting the No. 4 time in the semifinals.
Â
"I felt great," Arop said. "The first 200m was a little quick, but I didn't really feel it so I just decided to carry it all the way. I feel like I've had this chance so many times and I haven't been able to get it quite right. I think I'm in the best shape of my life right now, so hopefully everything just works out."
Â
Arop now has the chance to accomplish something no Canadian man has ever done. He is already one of just two Canadians to medal in the event at the World Championships, winning bronze in 2022. However, the Canadians have never seen a world champion in the half-mile. Gary Reed, who took home silver in 2007, holds the distinction of being the nation's top World Championships finisher.
Â
In 2019, Arop reached his first career global final, and he was the youngest competitor to do so that year. He finished seventh that year. At the Tokyo Olympic Games, he failed to reach the final, but in 2022, he adjusted his strategy and claimed his first world medal. In July, he earned the No. 1 spot in the world rankings for the first time in his career.
Â
The Canadian team captain will run for gold on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. CT. The race will air in the United States on CNBC.
Â
For more information on the Bulldog track and field program, follow on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram by searching "HailStateTF."
Â
Â
Â
The former Mississippi State All-American and No. 1 800m runner in the world had made up the stagger and taken the lead just 200m into the race. By the bell, he held nearly a two-second gap over his closest pursuer. He comfortably cruised across the line in 1:44.02, posting the No. 4 time in the semifinals.
Â
"I felt great," Arop said. "The first 200m was a little quick, but I didn't really feel it so I just decided to carry it all the way. I feel like I've had this chance so many times and I haven't been able to get it quite right. I think I'm in the best shape of my life right now, so hopefully everything just works out."
Â
Arop now has the chance to accomplish something no Canadian man has ever done. He is already one of just two Canadians to medal in the event at the World Championships, winning bronze in 2022. However, the Canadians have never seen a world champion in the half-mile. Gary Reed, who took home silver in 2007, holds the distinction of being the nation's top World Championships finisher.
Â
In 2019, Arop reached his first career global final, and he was the youngest competitor to do so that year. He finished seventh that year. At the Tokyo Olympic Games, he failed to reach the final, but in 2022, he adjusted his strategy and claimed his first world medal. In July, he earned the No. 1 spot in the world rankings for the first time in his career.
Â
The Canadian team captain will run for gold on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. CT. The race will air in the United States on CNBC.
Â
For more information on the Bulldog track and field program, follow on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram by searching "HailStateTF."
Â
Â
TRACK & FIELD | NCAA NATIONALS PLAYERS MEDIA SESSION 5/30/24
Thursday, May 30
TRACK & FIELD | NCAA NATIONALS COACHES MEDIA SESSION 5/30/24
Thursday, May 30
TRACK & FIELD | Chris Woods Media Session - 02/23/23
Friday, February 24
Track and Field Chris Woods Media Session 033122
Thursday, March 31