The year 2024 has been nothing short of historic for track and field. And for 800m? Simply put, it has been ‘iconic.’ Before the 2024 races, only five men had ever run sub-1:42 in the 800m. But now, five new names are on the list. Among the five shines bright the beloved American middle-distance runner Bryce Hoppel. 

Bryce went on to clock 1:41.67 at the 2024 Paris Olympics 800m, breaking the sub-1.42 record ever held by an American in the last 27 years. The previous U.S. 800m record was set by Wilson Kipketer in 1997, who set the world record three times that same year. He ultimately ended with a time of 1:41.11. This record stood for 13 years before Kenyan David Rudisha, clocking 1:40.91, broke the record at the 2012 London Olympics.

Alongside him, Emmanuel Wanyoni clocked 1:41.11, Marco Arop came in at 1:41.20, Djamel Sedjati ran 1:41.46, and Gabriel Tual crossed the line at 1:41.61. This year has been truly groundbreaking for the 800m races. It was so monumental that even legendary sprinter Michael Johnson couldn’t help but talk about it. Johnson took it to X and wrote, “Men’s 800 was crazy this year!”

And crazy it was! But the question that lingers is, was this tweet a precursor to something bigger? It is no secret that Johnson has launched a league of his own, the Grand Slam Track, and is scouting for athletes. Big names like Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Josh Kerr, Cole Hocker, and Fred Kerley have already announced their participation. But with the 2024 season ending, the question on everyone’s mind is: Could Bryce Hoppel be the one to break David Rudisha’s record as well?

From Midland to the top of the charts

If Bryce Hoppel’s ascend to being a track star is to be looked at, then the possibility is not far off. So, who is this record-breaking machine? Bryce’s journey, in simple words, is from the tracks of Midland High School to breaking a world record on the Olympic track. At Midland, Bryce went on to win state championships and broke school records in everything from the 800m to the 1600m. But his rise to stardom happened a bit later!

Hoppel joined the University of Kansas, and boy-oh-boy, was it the best decision! He went on to become a five-time All-American and two-time NCAA champion in the 800m. In college, Hoppel went on a 21-race winning streak that stretched through the 2019 season! Hoppel’s 1:44.41 at the NCAA Outdoor Championships was only 0.41 seconds away from breaking Jim Ryun‘s 1996 record set at Kansas. By the time Bryce went pro, he was already a champion on all accords.

Come 2024, Hoppel lived up to his potential. He went on to win an American record and a World Indoor Championship gold medal. And then followed it up with the record-breaking run in Paris. Looking at Bryce’s career, it seems almost inevitable that he could be the man to finally crack the world record. Will Bryce Hoppel be the one to break the elusive 1:40? And more interestingly, could it be at the Grand Slam Track?