Athing Mu Makes Last-Minute Entry Into USA Nationals 800m

USA track and field fans can breathe a sigh of relief.

2021 Olympic and 2022 World Champion Athing Mu-Nikolayev is entered in the 800m for the 2025 USATF Championships, which begin next week at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon.

Entries were set to close at midnight on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, and as the deadline approached, observers noticed that Mu was still not entered.

Mu-Nikolayev has only raced two 800s in 2025, and neither went particularly well. She opened with a 2:03.44 for 10th at the Prefontaine Classic, then followed with a 2:00.42 for 6th at the Ed Murphey Track Classic. But she was trending in the right direction, and all indications were that she would run USAs.

Had an injury entered the equation? Some paranoid fans even wondered if this might be the end of the career for the enigmatic Mu-Nikolayev.

Athing Mu at 2023 USATF Outdoor Nationals

Then, with just under 2 hours and 30 minutes to spare, Mu-Nikolayev’s name appeared on the entry list and fans could finally exhale. America’s most credentialed mid-distance star will be competing at USAs.

Mu-Nikolayev was the last of 43 entrants to appear on the list.

An astute LetsRun.com message board poster noted that during last year’s Olympic Trials, Mu also waited until there were less than two hours remaining before entering. It seems Mu-Nikolayev – or her agency – are simply the ultimate procrastinators.

Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.

Now, Mu-Nikolayev now has two more days to officially declare for the 800m, which starts Thursday, July 31, at 6:31 p.m. Eastern.

Discussion: Update: Athing Mu ENTERS USAs with 2.5 hours to spare!

Athing Mu after Pre