800-Meter Gold Medalist Athing Mu to Miss Paris Olympics After Fall in Trials

800-Meter Gold Medalist Athing Mu to Miss Paris Olympics After Fall in Trials

Athing Mu, the reigning Olympic gold medalist in the 800-meter race, experienced a dramatic setback during the trials on Monday when she tripped and fell, ending her chance to join the U.S. team for the Paris 2024 Olympics.

This surprising incident, involving Mu, the 2023 World Championships bronze medalist, highlighted the immense challenge of qualifying for the elite U.S. track and field Olympic team.

Nia Akins, Allie Wilson, and Juliette Whittaker secured the top three spots, earning their places in their first Olympic Games.

The fall occurred just moments into the final race at the U.S. Olympic track and field trials in Eugene, Oregon, determining who would head to Paris. “It doesn’t matter who you are,” Ato Boldon remarked to NBC Olympics before the trials. “You’re guaranteed drama. It’s the toughest team in the world to make.”

Mu had been dealing with a sore hamstring earlier in the year and had withdrawn from two competitions. Despite this, many still expected her to compete in Paris.

“It’s tough to see, especially for someone like Athing, who you know could win a gold medal,” commented 400-meter hurdler Rai Benjamin from the sidelines. “And you just — you feel for her, because it’s, like, she’s supposed to be there, you know? But that’s just USA Track & Field. Like, it’s the hardest team to make, and anything can happen here.”

Mu had previously won gold medals in the 800 meters and the 4×400-meter relay at the 2020 Tokyo games.