KU track alum punches ticket to Olympics, sets trials record

EUGENE. Ore. ( KSNT ) – KU track and field alum Bryce Hoppel is heading to the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

The former Jayhawk won the 800 meter finals in impressive fashion on Sunday, beating the second place finisher by nearly a full second and setting an Olympic trials record with a lifetime personal best time of 1:42.77.

Paris will be the home of Hoppel’s second Olympic appearance. He competed in the Tokyo games in 2021, finishing 16th. Hoppel is looking for an 800 meter sweep at the global level after winning the event in the world indoor championships in March.

The Midland, Texas native competed for the Jayhawks from 2016-2019 and won the 800 meter national championship indoors during his final year competing collegiately.

The former Jayhawk appeared as a guest on K-Nation, KSNT’s weekly sports special, when he was back in Lawrence in April. Click here for that full exclusive interview.

Hoppel’s first race in Paris will be on Aug. 2. Finals, if he advances through each round, are scheduled for Aug. 5.

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