Edmonton’s Marco Arop had a sensational 2023 season, which noticed him develop into Canada’s first world champion over 800 metres and set a brand new Canadian file of 1:42.85. Arop started 2024 with pleasure as he ran two Canadian indoor data, however he reduce his indoor season brief to organize 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 similar monitor at Mississippi State College in April 2022. Arop will likely 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 greatest of three:38.36 within the 1,500m.
He’ll come into Friday’s races properly rested after selecting to not compete on the 2024 World Indoor Championships in Glasgow to organize himself for the lengthy out of doors season. As world champion, Arop will likely 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 probably 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 might be an indication of one thing vital for later this 12 months. The 800m world champion may present a lift to the Canadian 4x400m relay staff, led by collegiate star Christopher Morales Williams, if wanted.
Marco Arop smashes Canadian indoor 1,000m file at New Stability 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 file of two:14.20, held by David Rudisha.
