On May 24, Athing Mu lined up for the women’s 1500m at Track Fest in Jack Kemp Stadium, Los Angeles, clocking 4:10.70—an impressive improvement of nearly 10 seconds compared to her performance in the same event at the Cal State LA Very Last Chance Meet just 10 days earlier. Fans were encouraged by the result, seeing it as a sign of her renewed determination. The previous year, Mu had competed in only four 800m races, including the USA Olympic Trials, where she suffered a fall in the final. Her ninth-place finish there crushed her hopes of defending her Olympic gold in the women’s 800m. But in May, she seemed to recapture some of her old form.
Athing’s next race was set for July 5 at the Prefontaine Classic in Hayward Field—her first 800m outing since the Holloway Pro Classic on July 19 last year. Her excitement was clear. “The lead up to this has been really great for me. I’ve definitely been in a good spot mentally. It’s obviously not the most convenient for it to be my first 800m (since last July 19) in this really fast race, but I think I’ve kind of gotten over that point and just recognized that, hey, we are 1,000 percent really great where we’re at with training. This is a great field. This is an opportunity for me.”
The anticipation was high across the track and field world. Fans eagerly awaited a showdown between the 23-year-old Trenton native and Tsige Duguma, the 2024 Paris Olympics silver medalist. But in the end, many were left disappointed.
On Saturday, July 5, Athing Mu appeared far from her peak. While Ethiopia’s Tsige Duguma clocked an impressive 1:57.10 to win the race, Mu finished well behind with a time of 2:03.44. The significant time difference was mirrored in the final standings—Duguma secured first place, while Mu ended up in tenth. It was a stark contrast to two years ago, when Mu had dominated the same event at the same meet, finishing ahead of British star Keely Hodgkinson, who would later go on to win Olympic gold in the women’s 800m in Paris. Now, that past success feels like a distant memory. For many track and field fans, her recent performance was difficult to digest.
Athing Mu-Nikolayev finishes 10th, running 2:03.44 in her first 800m race in almost a year at the Pre Classic. #Pre50 pic.twitter.com/HUG39lxM0J
— Travis Miller (@travismillerx13) July 5, 2025
One user on X remarked, “Keely must be less worried after seeing Athing Mu and Mary Moraa race!” —a clear reflection of the disappointment fans felt. In that same race, Mary Moraa finished just ahead of Mu in ninth place with a time of 2:00.51. It’s a surprising turn, considering that just 11 months ago, Moraa claimed the bronze medal in the women’s 800m at the Paris Olympics. Now, both of Keely Hodgkinson’s key rivals appear to be struggling to regain their form. Still, Athing Mu managed to offer a glimmer of promise.
In a post-race conversation with Tiara Williams, the Olympian reflected, “Unfortunately, it ended like this, but we got a couple of weeks to get it better for US Champs.” She also noted, “I’m definitely on the early side of my career, so still going through figuring things out.” However, it remains unclear whether track and field fans are willing to take her words at face value.
Athing Mu faces a thorough public scrutiny
“Athing Mu must’ve lost her fire for track cause this is kinda wild!” — That comment on X sums up the shock many track and field fans felt after her underwhelming return. Over the past two years, Mu hasn’t made a single podium appearance. She’s bounced between events, but the magic that once made her unstoppable still hasn’t returned. And fans aren’t just questioning her form—they’re questioning everything around her, especially her coach, Bobby Kersee.
“Athing Mu needs to leave Bobby Kersee as a coach,” one fan wrote bluntly. The criticism isn’t new. Last year, when Mu suddenly withdrew from the Prefontaine Classic, track pundit Owen M shared a list on X detailing all the meets she had skipped since joining Kersee’s training group—eight in total, including high-profile ones like the New Balance Grand Prix and the Millrose Games. While some absences were reportedly due to issues like a sore hamstring, many fans felt there was a lack of transparency and poor scheduling behind the scenes.
Jun 24, 2021; Eugene, OR, USA; Athing Mu and Nikki Hiltz lead a women’s 800m heat during the US Olympic Team Trials at Hayward Field. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Blame was also directed at Mu herself. “I don’t think she cares about running anymore,” another user posted, even dragging her personal life, including her recent marriage, into the narrative. But not everyone has lost faith. One supporter chimed in with encouragement: “Welcome back Athing Mu! Coming off an injury into competition is difficult but a necessary step! Can she get back to gold medal form by USA nationals? It would be a great achievement for her to pull off!” After nearly a year away from the 800m, Athing Mu is back. The road to redemption won’t be easy, but it’s far from over.
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