What some posters seem to be missing is that, as far as I can tell, nobody is really dissing Athing Mu in general. Amazing runner. If she never runs a good race again, what she did at the Olympics last year will still be legendary.
The issue is PRAISING her for dropping out. I can understand dropping out. There are times when it's the appropriate move, sure. Cut your losses, etc. But realistically, it's never a move that ENHANCES the legend of a runner. That's the only thing most people seem to be in disagreement with Rojo's original post about: that dropping out actually makes her MORE of a legend, MORE likeable.
It goes something like this:
- Awesome high school career. Everybody likes this.
- Sets all kinds of college records and wins titles as a freshman. Everybody appreciates this.
- Wins the US Trials in dominant fashion. Everyone likes.
- Wins the Olympics. A huge feather in her cap.
- Sets AR (a couple of times I think). More feathers in her cap.
- Reset to 2022. Wins a relatively low-key mile in 4:37.99. Very good. Everyone likes.
- Soon after, decides to contest this distance at Millrose against big names. Ballsy! Exciting! Everyone likes.
- At Millrose, she DNF's with 200 to go. Disappointment!
At this point, most people will probably be like, okay, maybe she's not a miler then. She gave it a go, and props to her for that, but her performance was a bit of a disappointment. Lesson learned. No foul.
But only Rojo seems to find a DNF to be something that further enhances her legend, and deserves additional praise. What a boss - to DNF rather than finish!