Runner Marco Arop, shot putter Sarah Mitton collect 3rd-place finishes at Bislett Games

In a season devoid of a World Athletics Championships and Olympics, Cooper Lutkenhaus is demonstrating he’s the man to beat over 800 metres outdoors after capturing a world indoor title in March.

The 17-year-old American won his second race in three days, reaching the finish in a world-leading and personal-best one minute 42.08 seconds on Wednesday to edge reigning Olympic and world champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi by 1-100th of a second at the Bislett Games Diamond League competition in Oslo, Norway.

Edmonton’s Marco Arop couldn't mount a kick in the final 100 metres and trailed by about four metres at the finish in third with a 1:43.33 clocking. On Sunday, he finished 41-100ths behind the victorious Lutkenhaus in second at the Stockholm Diamond League.

"I planned on staying back in second or third for most of the race and then executing my move but my last 100 metres is still not quite there yet," Arop said. "I hope it will be for the next race.

"The men's 800 metres is an amazing place right now and I'm so happy to be a part of it; it's a really an exciting time."

U.S. runner Cooper Lutkenhaus youngest man to win world indoor title

Stockholm was the season opener for Arop, whose later start outdoors is by design following a heavy workload in recent seasons and busy upcoming campaigns with worlds next year and Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.

The 27-year-old’s 2025 season was highlighted by three Grand Slam Track victories in the 800, the 2024 Olympic silver medallist’s fourth straight Canadian title and third place at the Diamond League Final.

WATCH | Arop places 3rd behind Lutkenhaus and Wanyonyi in men's 800m:

Edmonton's Marco Arop finishes 3rd in Diamond League Oslo 800m race

In Wednesday's race, Lutkenhaus made his