EUGENE, OR — A West Texas native is headed to Paris at the end of the summer after qualifying for the 2024 Paris Olympics. Midland High graduate Bryce Hoppel won the 800-meter race at the Olympic Trials at the University of Oregon on Sunday to punch his ticket to Paris with Team USA.
Hoppel pulled away in the last 100 meters on Sunday to claim first place in the 800-meter with a 1:42.77 finish. With the win, he also cemented his spot in his second straight Olympic games.
The World Indoor Champion from the Permian Basin finished the first 400 meters in the race at a fast 51-second pace. He fell behind in the second lap but reclaimed his lead with a burst of speed in the final 200 meters.
With his time, Hoppel became the third-fastest American in history and the sixth American ever to run faster than 1:43.
The former Kansas Jayhawk took first place, fellow training partner Hobbs Kessler took second with a 1:43.64, and Brandon Miller rounded out the top three with a 1:43.97.
The 2024 Paris Olympic Games will begin on Friday, July 26, and run through Sunday, August 11.
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