'Keeps me hungry'- Marco Arop reveals major setback that is fuelling his revenge against Emmanuel Wanyonyi in 2025

'Keeps me hungry'- Marco Arop reveals major setback that is fuelling his revenge against Emmanuel Wanyonyi in 2025

Abigael Wafula 15:45 - 23.10.2024

Marco Arop is eager for a comeback after settling for silver at the Paris Olympics as he looks to put an end to Emmanuel Wanyonyi's winning streak and also shatter David Rudisha's world record.

Canadian 800m running ace Marco Arop has put Emmanuel Wanyonyi, Djamel Sedjati and other 800m runners on notice as he detailed what keeps him grounded ahead of next season.

Arop has not had the easiest of seasons, being forced to settle for second in races that mattered and missing out on most of his targets but he has certainly picked the lessons and will be back next year, stronger and wiser.

In an exclusive interview with the Canadian Running Magazine, the world 800m champion pointed out that missing the gold at the Paris Olympic Games brought out a different persona in him and he is eager to defend his world title at the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo, Japan.

At the Olympic Games, Marco Arop was forced to finish second behind Emmanuel Wanyonyi as Djamel Sedjati completed the podium. Wanyonyi went on to stun the duo at the Diamond League Meeting final in Brussels. However, Marco Arop will be back for revenge next season, expressing his eagerness to also shatter David Rudisha’s world record of 1:40.91 that he set at the London 2012 Olympic Games.

“I see a lot of potential leading up to the L.A. Olympics. Coming so close to being an Olympic champion in Paris keeps me hungry. I want to become the first athlete to run an 800m under 100 seconds,” Arop said.

“The margins are there— ‘Project 99,’ my team calls it. It would be legendary,” the Olympic 800m silver medallist said.

Marco Arop was recently announced as a signee in Michael Johnson’s Grand Slam Track league and he will be competing against world 1500m champion Josh Kerr and Olympic champion Cole Hocker among other formidable 1500m runners including Yared Nuguse.

The Canadian remains unfazed and he believes that the only way to perfect his 1500m skills is by running against incredible runner covering the same distance.

“People want to see the best athletes competing, and what better way to test yourself than going against the best in the world? I’m strong in the 800m, but I know I’m not as strong yet in the 1,500m. I want to make it a strength, and I’m excited to race against some of the top milers in the world,” he added.

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