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 Monitor (GST) for its inaugural season, becoming a member of an elite lineup within the males’s quick 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. “Individuals wish to see the perfect athletes competing, and what higher option to take a look at your self than going towards the perfect on the planet?” says Arop.
He’ll face off towards 1,500m world champion Josh Kerr, Olympic champion Cole Hocker and American miler Yared Nuguse 4 occasions.
Arop is assured in his 800m, however sees the 1,500m occasion as a spot the place he can enhance. “I’m sturdy within the 800m, however I do know I’m not as sturdy but within the 1,500m,” says Arop. “I wish to make it a power, and I’m excited to race towards a number of the prime milers on the planet.”
What’s Grand Slam Monitor?
Grand Slam Monitor (GST) is modelled after skilled golf and tennis, and can supply a collection of 4 main occasions annually. 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, guaranteeing a dynamic vary of competitors.
Not like different high-profile monitor leagues, GST won’t have pacemakers or tempo lights, to create a extra natural racing setting. Athletes will compete with out bibs, to boost their recognition and branding. The occasions can be held in Los Angeles (dwelling of the 2028 Olympics), one other U.S. metropolis, and two different worldwide areas but to be introduced.
In what could be shaping up as probably the most aggressive group at Grand Slam Monitor there’s just one Racer spot left…
What’s your take?
Swipe and listen to @cole_hocker‘s! pic.twitter.com/4qW1Ny9uUL— Grand Slam Monitor (@GrandSlamTrack) October 18, 2024
GST goals to raise athletes’ profiles and increase sponsorships, with extra frequent high-stakes matchups than the Olympics. Athletes who win all 4 occasions of their class may earn as much as USD $400,000.
Arop says he and his crew have been impressed with GST’s emphasis on advertising and marketing, providing a recent tackle a sport that always struggles for consideration exterior the foremost championships. “We wish to make GST common 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 file 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 file holder David Rudisha.
Arop just isn’t daunted by Rudisha’s file of 1:40.91, and says he believes he’s nearer than ever to breaking it. “I wish to turn into the primary athlete to run an 800m beneath 100 seconds,” he says. “The margins are there—‘Undertaking 99,’ my crew calls it.” He is aware of pushing the bounds 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.
