Bryce Hoppel qualifies for Paris Olympics ’24 by winning 800 meters at U.S. Trials

Former University of Kansas track standout Bryce Hoppel has qualified for his second Olympic Games.

Hoppel, a 26-year-old Texas native who finished fifth in the 800-meter semifinals at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, placed first in that event at the U.S. Olympic Trials on Sunday at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon.

His time was a personal-best and U.S. Trials record: 1 minute, 42.77 seconds.

The old record was 1:42.80, set by Johnny Gray at the 1992 U.S. Olympic Trials in New Orleans.

Hoppel ran the third-fastest time ever by a U.S. 800-meter runner, trailing only Donavan Brazier (1:42.34) and Gray (1:42.6).

Hoppel crossed the line ahead of training partner Hobbs Kessler, who in finishing second qualified for the Paris Games with a time of 1:43.64. Third-place finisher Brandon Miller also qualified in the 800 at 1:43.97.

Hoppel, the 2024 indoor world champion in the 800, is ranked No. 5 in the world in the event.

“I wanted to take it,” Hoppel told NBC’s Lewis Johnson after the race. “I wanted to make it fast. I was even saying 1:42 before (the race). I was glad to come here, blessed to have all these people behind me. It’s not me out there. My family and everyone behind me are what make me do it.”

Hoppel’s time of 1:42.77 was the fourth-fastest in the world this season. He had advanced to the finals after running a 1:44.01 in the second round of the Trials and 1:46.83 in round one.

Hoppel, a five-time All-American, two-time NCAA champion and four-time Big 12 champion, won the 1,500 at the 2024 Kansas Relays.

He won the 800 at the World Indoor championships on March 4 in Scotland in 1:44.92. He’s the only American to win the 800 meters at the world indoor meet.

Hoppel will compete in the first round of the Olympic men’s 800-meter run at 4:55 a.m. Central Time on Aug. 7 in Paris.