TOKYO, JAPAN - SEPTEMBER 16: Tyrice Taylor of Team Jamaica and Peter Bol of Team Australia look on after competing in the Men's 800 Metres Heats on day four of the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 2025 at National Stadium on September 16, 2025 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)
UPDATE: Australian runner Peter Bol has suffered a stunning setback, failing to advance from the 800m heats at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo on August 22, 2023. Bol, who gained national acclaim for his fourth-place finish in the 800m Olympic final in 2021, was expected to progress but fell short in a dramatic finish.
In a race that began promisingly, Bol controlled the pace alongside American runner Bryce Hoppel for the first 600m. However, as competitors surged towards the finish line, Bol could not muster the necessary speed, finishing fourth behind Jamaican Tyrice Taylor. With only the top three securing automatic qualification, Bol’s time of 1:45.15 left him anxiously awaiting results from the final heat.
In a cruel twist, Kenyan runner Nicholas Kiplangat Kebenei secured the last qualifying spot with a time of 1:44.91, pushing Bol out by a mere 0.14 seconds. The disappointment was palpable as Bol, visibly shaken, reflected on the race: “It’s hard to reflect on,” he said. “But at the same time, it’s the World Championships; you’ve got to be pretty happy with that.”
Bol struggled to pinpoint where the race slipped away from him, stating, “You’ve got one move to make in the 800, and I think I made a few too many, and I think that’s what cost me.” As he processed the outcome, he added, “It actually felt pretty hard today. Everyone didn’t look the best… they’ll look better through the rounds. I was hoping to get better through the rounds.”
This unexpected exit marks a significant disappointment for Bol, who had high hopes of advancing further in the championship. The Australian athletics community now rallies behind him, reflecting on his past successes while looking forward to future competitions.
As the race results continue to unfold, fans and athletes alike are left to wonder what lies ahead for Bol in his athletic journey. The 31-year-old has proven his mettle on the world stage before, and with resilience, he may yet bounce back stronger in future events. The immediate future remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the world will be watching.
