Olympic silver medallist Marco Arop, one of many quickest males on the planet over 800m, is taking over a brand new problem in 2025. Arop has signed with Michael Johnson’s Grand Slam Observe (GST) for its inaugural season, becoming a member of an elite lineup within the males’s brief distance (800m/1,500m) division.
The 26-year-old shared his signing with Canadian Operating, saying he’s prepared for the brand new alternatives that GST brings to the desk. “Folks wish to see the perfect athletes competing, and what higher option to check your self than going in opposition to the perfect on the planet?” says Arop.
He’ll face off in opposition to 1,500m world champion Josh Kerr, Olympic champion Cole Hocker and American miler Yared Nuguse 4 instances.
Arop is assured in his 800m, however sees the 1,500m occasion as a spot the place he can enhance. “I’m robust within the 800m, however I do know I’m not as robust but within the 1,500m,” says Arop. “I wish to make it a energy, and I’m excited to race in opposition to among the prime milers on the planet.”
What’s Grand Slam Observe?
Grand Slam Observe (GST) is modelled after skilled golf and tennis, and can provide a collection of 4 main occasions every year. The league options 96 of the world’s prime monitor athletes, break up into two teams: 48 racers and 48 challengers. With six occasion classes at every Slam, athletes compete in two races per occasion, making certain a dynamic vary of competitors.
Not like different high-profile monitor leagues, GST is not going to have pacemakers or tempo lights, to create a extra natural racing setting. Athletes will compete with out bibs, to reinforce their recognition and branding. The occasions will probably be held in Los Angeles (house of the 2028 Olympics), one other U.S. metropolis, and two different worldwide places but to be introduced.
In what may be shaping up as essentially the most aggressive group at Grand Slam Observe there’s just one Racer spot left…
What’s your take?
Swipe and listen to @cole_hocker‘s! pic.twitter.com/4qW1Ny9uUL— Grand Slam Observe (@GrandSlamTrack) October 18, 2024
GST goals to raise athletes’ profiles and enhance sponsorships, with extra frequent high-stakes matchups than the Olympics. Athletes who win all 4 occasions of their class might earn as much as USD $400,000.
Arop says he and his workforce have been impressed with GST’s emphasis on advertising, providing a contemporary tackle a sport that usually struggles for consideration exterior the key championships. “We wish to make GST well-liked in North America,” says Arop. “I see a number of potential main as much as the L.A. Olympics.”
2025 season and past
The upcoming season brings new challenges for the Edmonton middle-distance star as he goals to defend his world championship 800m title in Japan in September 2025. Arop says he’s been centered on retaining his gold medal from the second he gained in Budapest. “Coming so near being an Olympic champion in Paris retains me hungry,” he says.
His North American document of 1:41.20 locations him because the fourth-fastest 800m runner in historical past, trailing solely Paris 2024 champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi, three-time world champion Wilson Kipketer, and world document holder David Rudisha.
Arop will not be daunted by Rudisha’s document of 1:40.91, and says he believes he’s nearer than ever to breaking it. “I wish to change into the primary athlete to run an 800m below 100 seconds,” he says. “The margins are there—‘Mission 99,’ my workforce calls it.” He is aware of pushing the boundaries of monitor and subject gained’t be simple, however he’s able to elevate the lads’s 800m occasion to new heights.
“It might be legendary,” he says.