Arop ran some unbelievable 800s in 2024 (I did not think running 1:41.20 with a negative split from lane 2 was possible for anyone ever) but of all the 1:41/1:42 guys last year I don’t think I’d rank him even top-5 “most likely doping.”
Of course doping is a factor, but I think we saw a significant impact from Maurten Bicarb on the event last year (a supplement that delays the effects of lactic acid rigging?—perfect for 800m). It’s good that athletes have been transparent about using it, but it seems like the definition of “gray area” even though it’s perfectly legal. Also having men run really fast pulls more men to really fast times, as we’ve seen in middle distance at different stages all through history.
Peter Snell came up in this thread. In the ongoing hypothetical game of “What would XXXX run in today’s era?,” 2024 was the first year where Snell became a probable 1:41 guy, IMO.