Marco Arop from Edmonton, Alberta, is one of the best track and field athletes in the world. He is the reigning world champion in the men’s 800m and I had the privilege of speaking with him. Here are the answers to my questions.
Q: You are from Khartoum, Sudan. At what age did you move to Canada?
A: “I was three years old.”
Q: Why does the 800 meters suit your running style best?
A: “I think it suits me because I have a lot of speed. I think I’m stuck somewhere in the middle. I’m not quite as fast in the 400 and have more speed than I do in the 1500. The 800 suits me best.”
Q: Before the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, you were on the podium twice in Sweden and Monaco in 2021. Tell me about those races and what did you like most about them?
A: “I was very happy with my style and the way I ran. I was happy with how I was able to take control of the race. I was very happy with how I was able to leave my competitors behind.”
Q: How meaningful was it for you to win the gold medal at the 2017 Canada Summer Games and the 2019 Pan American Games?
A: “These wins were huge for me. The Canada Summer Games came after a long season. I was really proud that I was able to persevere and beat some really good competitors. The Pan American Games was my first gold medal for Canada.”
Arop is not aiming for a specific time. He is focused on doing everything he can to win. The men’s 800m final at the 2024 Paris Olympics will take place on August 10 at 11:25 a.m.
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