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Marco Arop from Canada progresses to the semifinals of the Olympic 800-metre race

Marco Arop from Canada progresses to the semifinals of the Olympic 800-metre race

August 7, 2024

One down, two to go for Canada’s Marco Arop.

The reigning world champ breezed into the men’s 800-metre semifinals by finishing second in his heat on Wednesday at the Olympics.

Arop crossed the line in one minute, 45.74 seconds, just back of Belgium’s Eliott Crestan (1:45.51). The top three in each heat advanced to Friday’s semifinals.

“Top three was the goal, it didn’t matter if I was first, second or third,” Arop told CBC Olympics.

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Arop, from Edmonton, followed up bronze at the 2022 world championships with gold last year.

The Canadian missed the final at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.

Meanwhile, Mariam Abdul Rashid’s Olympic debut is off to a strong start.

The 26-year-old Canadian qualified for the semifinals of the women’s 100-metre hurdles event after finishing fifth in her heat Wednesday with a time of 12.80 seconds.

The semifinals will take place Thursday night in Paris.

Fellow Canadian Michelle Harrison finished eighth in her respective heat with a time of 13.40. She will next compete in the repechage round.

Harrison, 31, told Devin Heroux of CBC Olympics that she has been dealing with a stomach virus.

Canadian middle-distance runner Marco Arop has made his mark at the Tokyo Olympics by advancing to the semifinals of the 800-metre race. The 22-year-old athlete from Edmonton, Alberta, showed his strength and determination as he competed against some of the world’s best runners in the preliminary rounds.

Arop, who is a two-time NCAA champion in the 800 metres, has been on a steady rise in the track and field world. He first gained international attention in 2019 when he won the gold medal at the Pan American Games in Lima, Peru. Since then, he has continued to impress with his performances on the track.

In the preliminary round of the Olympic 800-metre race, Arop ran a strong race to finish in third place in his heat with a time of 1:45.26. This performance was good enough to secure his spot in the semifinals, where he will have the opportunity to compete for a spot in the final.

Arop’s success at the Olympics is a testament to his hard work and dedication to his sport. He has been training tirelessly to prepare for this moment, and his efforts are paying off. As he moves on to the semifinals, Arop will be looking to continue his strong performances and potentially earn a spot on the podium.

Canadian fans are eagerly cheering on Arop as he competes in the semifinals and beyond. His success at the Olympics is not only a source of pride for his home country but also an inspiration to young athletes who aspire to follow in his footsteps.

As Arop continues his journey at the Tokyo Olympics, all eyes will be on him as he competes against the best in the world. With his talent and determination, there is no doubt that he has what it takes to make a strong showing in the 800-metre race and potentially bring home a medal for Canada.