Athing Mu’s Flat Return Raises Arduous Questions Earlier than U.S. Championships
Athing Mu-Nikolayev has by no means seemed odd on a monitor. Even throughout her early faculty races, she carried a presence that set her aside. On Saturday on the Prefontaine Traditional in Eugene, nevertheless, she seemed misplaced. The Olympic gold medalist from 2021, who as soon as made 1:56 races look routine, completed final within the girls’s 800m. The clock learn 2:03.44.
It was her slowest time since a school warmth in February 2021, and whereas she stayed upright this time, not like final yr’s fall on the Olympic Trials, there was no consolation to take from the consequence. The 800 meters is unforgiving if you’re off form. It’s a rhythm occasion that punishes hesitation and exposes rust. Athing Mu-Nikolayev seemed out of sync from the gun. She lagged on the again, drifted huge to keep away from contact, and had nothing left with 200m to go.
The efficiency was troubling not as a result of Athing Mu-Nikoleyev misplaced. Losses occur. It was how disconnected she seemed from the race. The opening 300m noticed her settle lifeless final. By the midway level, there was a slight try to maneuver, however she by no means cracked the highest eight. With 100 meters left, her legs had no response.
Afterward, she stated she was wholesome. That’s a very good signal, but it surely leaves questions on her readiness with the U.S. Championships lower than 4 weeks away. She might be allowed to compete based mostly on her 1:58 from the 2024 Trials, however in the intervening time, her possibilities of making the world championship crew feels unsure. The sector in U.S. girls’s 800m working has caught up. And in some methods, it has moved forward.
Nia Akins, Juliette Whittaker, and Allie Wilson, final yr’s Olympic crew members are all trending in the fitting route. Even when none of them have separated themselves as clear title favorites, they’ve competed often and seemed aggressive on the Diamond League circuit. In the meantime, Mu-Nikoleyev’s 2025 season has consisted of three lower-level overdistance races and this Diamond League opener that seemed extra like a health verify than a aggressive effort.
The technical flaws in her race have been noticeable. Athing Mu-Nikoleyev nonetheless runs huge round turns, a behavior from the times when she dominated races from the entrance. That may have labored when she was fitter, however now it solely provides pointless meters. She additionally continues to look uncomfortable working in a decent pack. That lack of ability to navigate visitors is an actual drawback, particularly when racing sharp fields in Europe or championship rounds within the U.S.
It’s value noting that Mu-Nikoleyev remains to be solely 23. Athletes usually want greater than a season to bounce again from a severe harm. She tore her hamstring final spring and had an uneven buildup to the 2024 Trials, the place she nonetheless managed to run 1:58. That speaks to the depth of her pure potential. However uncooked expertise can solely take a runner to date when preparation is missing. Saturday confirmed what occurs when the bodily instruments aren’t backed by sharpness and confidence.
Among the consideration will now flip to her teaching scenario. Mu-Nikoleyev is at present coaching underneath Bobby Kersee, one of many sport’s most embellished coaches. However Kersee’s method hasn’t all the time matched Mu-Nikoleyev’s racing instincts. Since becoming a member of his group, Mu’s racing schedule has been minimal, and her public appearances at competitions have develop into uncommon. There’s rising dialog round whether or not a return to Milton Mallard, her former coach who helped information her to Olympic gold may very well be the fitting transfer. Mallard now coaches at USC, so the logistics could be easy. The choice, nevertheless, would carry weight.
Mu-Nikoleyev’s supporters are proper to level out that she has time. Twenty-six days stay till the primary spherical of the U.S. Championships. That’s lengthy sufficient to search out just a few proportion factors of enchancment however not lengthy sufficient to construct a season’s value of race power. The problem isn’t whether or not she will end races. It’s whether or not she will go head-to-head with athletes who’ve already spent months sharpening their ways and toughness.
Saturday’s consequence shouldn’t outline her, but it surely ought to function a warning. Mu-Nikoleyev might want to determine if this was a blip or an indication of one thing extra structural. Olympic years are likely to deliver urgency. They don’t anticipate athletes to catch up. If Mu-Nikoleyev needs to be on the beginning line in Paris, she’ll want to point out greater than flashes of promise.
In her post-race interview, Mu-Nikoleyev stayed upbeat. She smiled, stated she was high quality, and that she’ll maintain constructing. It was the type of poise that comes from expertise. However expertise alone received’t be sufficient this time.
