Arop Wins Silver With Fourth-Fastest Time In World History

PARIS, France – A historic men's 800m final ended with a photo finish on Saturday, and former Mississippi State All-American Marco Arop (CAN) won silver.

Arop's 1:41.20 broke not just his personal best and his Canadian national record. It also stands as the North American record and fourth in world history. The final was so quick that it was the first Olympic final ever with four men under 1:42.00 and seven of the eight under 1:43.00. He nearly caught Emmanuel Wanyonyi (KEN) in the final meters, but he missed gold by one-hundredth of a second. It was the closest finish in an Olympic 800m since 2008 when it was decided by five-hundredths of a second.

"It wasn't the first time that we've had a finish like that," Arop said of his opponent. "I knew Wanyonyi was going to have a good last 10 meters, and I was just trying to match him. I had a great night. We've been fighting for this day all year long, and we thought we'd timed it right. I just couldn't be happier with the way I performed. I've got a huge lifetime best and a silver medal. I can't be upset."

Wanyonyi's mark now stands as third in world history, but his national record is held by world-record holder David Rudisha who won the 2012 Olympic gold in 1:40.91. Algeria's Djamel Sedjati took bronze after entering the race unbeaten in 2024.

Arop's performance was historic on multiple levels. It marked the first time that Canada won a medal in the distance in 60 years. Bill Crothers won silver in 1964. Crothers too, achieved history in his race, finishing in 1:45.6, which would have been an Olympic record at the start of the 1964 Games if it had not been for the man who finished ahead of him. Arop is the fifth Canadian to win a medal in the men's 800m.

The medal also contributes to Canada's record high medal count. It was the nation's 26th medal of the Paris Games, and extended their record for most medals at a non-boycotted Summer Games.

The Edmonton, Alberta, native is the first Bulldog to medal in the 800m, and his finish gives State multiple medalists for just the second time in school history, and it is the first time that multiple MSU athletes have won a medal at a single Games. Anderson Peters won bronze in the men's javelin at this year's Games. In Atlanta in 1996, Falilat Ogunkoya (NGR) medaled in the women's 400m and 4x400m relay, and Ron Polk was a coach with the bronze medal-winning American baseball team.

"I am incredibly proud of Marco and Anderson," Mississippi State head coach and Team Canada assistant Chris Woods said. "They deserve all the credit as they put in all the hard work. What I want this to highlight is if a student-athlete chooses to attend Mississippi State University and works hard, they can be a global track and field medalist. We have now proved that multiple times in the last decade. I'm proud of the athletes. I'm proud of the coaches. And I'm proud of the support staff that makes all of these things possible."

The final Bulldog in Paris, Lee Eppie, was named an Olympian as a member of Botswana's men's 4x400m relay; however, he did not run in either the first round or the final. Botswana won silver, setting a national and African record in 2:54.53.

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Mississippi State University Athletics

Arop Wins Silver With Fourth-Fastest Time In World History

Players Mentioned

Marco Arop

Lee Eppie

Anderson Peters

Chris Woods

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