World 800m champion Marco Arop has revealed the mental challenges he faced in securing a silver medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Despite entering the Games as a top contender due to his world championship title, Arop was not in peak form, which made him uncertain about his chances. He had just finished sixth at the Monaco Diamond League in July, clocking 1:43.92, which left him questioning his ability to perform at the highest level.
Arop faced stiff competition from athletes like Kenya’s Emmanuel Wanyonyi, Algeria’s Djamel Sedjati, and Frenchman Gabriel Tual, who had all posted impressive performances leading up to the Olympics. While the world’s attention was on him, Arop admitted that he lacked confidence heading into the Games, feeling that he was not in the best shape. “I wasn’t as confident heading into the Olympics as I was heading to the World Championships because I was like the 10th best, so knowing I would have to run a personal best to possibly get into the final or get into a medal position,” he shared.
Despite these doubts, Arop managed to push through and nearly clinched the gold. He appeared to have surpassed both Wanyonyi and Sedjati in the final stages of the race, but Wanyonyi’s strong finishing kick ultimately secured him the victory. Wanyonyi won with a time of 1:41.19, just edging Arop, who finished second in 1:41.20. Despite the narrow margin, Arop was proud of his performance, especially considering the challenges he had faced leading up to the event.
Arop attributed his success to his mental resilience and the support of his team. “It is all about trusting the process, no matter how the season goes. I know that as long as I am improving and getting better in training and staying healthy, I will keep getting better and performing well,” he said. He emphasized the importance of mental preparation for big events like the Olympics, noting that in the final weeks leading up to the Games, there is little that can be done to make significant physical improvements. Instead, it’s about bringing out the best of what one has in those crucial moments.
Reflecting on his performance, Arop credited his team for their crucial role in helping him achieve such a strong result. “Without them, I would not have gotten near the performance I did,” he acknowledged.
After the Olympics, Arop and Wanyonyi would continue their rivalry, meeting three more times during the season. Wanyonyi won at the Lausanne Diamond League, but Arop avenged that defeat in Silesia. However, Wanyonyi claimed the final victory at the Brussels Diamond League, in another tight race between the two.
Arop’s silver medal performance in Paris, with the fourth-fastest time of all-time, has given him newfound confidence. He now believes that breaking the 1:40.91 world record set by David Rudisha at the 2012 London Olympics is within his reach. Arop’s experience in Paris has reaffirmed his belief in his ability to achieve even greater feats, as he continues to strive for excellence in his 800m career.
