Former All-American Mississippi State track and field star Marco Arop walked away a silver medalist after a dramatic photo finish end to the men’s 800-meter final.
Arop, running for Team Canada, posted a historic 1:41.20 time in the event. The feat not only broke his best personal time and a Canadian record, but it was also the best among a North American runner and the fourth-best in world history.
Unfortunately, it was not quite enough for the gold as Kenya’s Emmanuel Wanyonyi was able to cross the finish line just one-hundredth of a second quicker than the former Bulldog.
“It wasn’t the first time that we’ve had a finish like that,” Arop said of his opponent. “I knew Wanyonyi was going to have a good last 10 meters, and I was just trying to match him. I had a great night. We’ve been fighting for this day all year long, and we thought we’d timed it right. I just couldn’t be happier with the way I performed. I’ve got a huge lifetime best and a silver medal. I can’t be upset.”
The ultimate result of the race was so quick that it was the first Olympic final ever with four men under 1:42.00 and seven of the eight runners under 1:43.00.
Arop’s performance was notable on multiple fronts. He put Canada on the medal map in the 800-meter run for the first time in 60 years. The Edmonton, Alberta, native is the first Bulldog to medal in the event, and his finish gives Mississippi State multiple medalists for just the second time in school history. Former Bulldog javelin thrower Anderson Peters took home a bronze for Grenada on Thursday
“I am incredibly proud of Marco and Anderson,” Mississippi State head track and field coach and Team Canada assistant Chris Woods said. “They deserve all the credit as they put in all the hard work. What I want this to highlight is if a student-athlete chooses to attend Mississippi State University and works hard, they can be a global track and field medalist. We have now proved that multiple times in the last decade. I’m proud of the athletes. I’m proud of the coaches. And I’m proud of the support staff that makes all of these things possible.”
The final Mississippi State representative in Paris, Lee Eppie, was named an Olympian as a member of Botswana’s men’s 4×400-meter relay. However, he did not run in either the first round or the final. Botswana won silver, setting a national and African record in 2:54.53.
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