Edmonton’s Marco Arop had a sensational 2023 season, which noticed him turn into Canada’s first world champion over 800 metres and set a brand new Canadian document of 1:42.85. Arop started 2024 with pleasure as he ran two Canadian indoor data, however he reduce his indoor season quick to arrange for out of doors competitions. The 25-year-old will kick off his out of doors season on Friday in Starkville, Miss., with a 400-metre race.
“The 2024 World Tour begins tomorrow,” wrote Arop on Instagram. “We open up with a 400m and 1500m this weekend on the @hailstatetf Bull Canine Relays. I’m trying ahead to a different unbelievable season forward.”
Arop has not raced a 400m in two years; he holds a private better of 46.10 seconds, which he achieved on the identical observe at Mississippi State College in April 2022. Arop might be tackling a 400m/1,500m double, a problem he’s no stranger to, as he has steadily opted for 1,500m races to kick off his season. He holds a private finest of three:38.36 within the 1,500m.
He’ll come into Friday’s races effectively rested after selecting to not compete on the 2024 World Indoor Championships in Glasgow to arrange himself for the lengthy out of doors season. As world champion, Arop might be one of many Canadian favourites to, earn a medal in Paris this August.
After the Bull Canine Relays, he’ll compete once more on the Florida Relays on March 30. Following that, he’ll possible race his first 800m of the season on the Xiamen Diamond League in China, the primary Diamond League meet of the 2024 season.
Arop’s return to the 400m could possibly be an indication of one thing vital for later this yr. The 800m world champion may present a lift to the Canadian 4x400m relay workforce, led by collegiate star Christopher Morales Williams, if wanted.
Marco Arop smashes Canadian indoor 1,000m document at New Steadiness Grand Prix
In his two indoor races to open 2024, Arop set Canadian data in each the 800m and 1,000m. His 1,000m time of two:14.74 was the second-fastest time in historical past, behind solely the world document of two:14.20, held by David Rudisha.
