ATHING MU: losing her American fan base but I don't think she cares

She is already a World and Olympic champion, young, conventionally attractive, with a great story. If all she wants to do long term is model she’s already as marketable as she’s going to get with or without the fandom of the track world.

It looks like Kratochvilova's wr is safe after all.

I don't think she's even close to losing her American fan base. Maybe rabid distance fans are upset but most people only pay attention to track athletes in an Olympic year here. If she skips this year and comes back for Paris, most people won't even notice. It's a sad but true reality of the sport in the US. All people pay attention to is Olympic golds of which she has two. Her contracts are fine through Paris because that's all people will be focused on. If she wins gold next year, she's still set for life.

Is there something you'd like to share with the group?

She is most definitely loosing fans, myself included. I don't care if she every races again. Her coach is a perfect match for her. Additionally, she better think twice regarding her runway career.

I feel even if she raced often, won titles and gold medals with the addition of records and a world record, you wouldn't be happy. In fact, I'd guess you'd be even more unhappy, "devastated" to be exact.

As I've asked before, if in the future there are 5 Athing's in the future running for America dominating middle and distance races, winning everything in sight and racing frequently, how would you feel ? This is a question to everyone.

....

Finally someone willing to speak the truth, I don't care what my obsessed haters say, she is definitely losing fans.

It her right to pursue what she wants and it's our right not to follow her charade. I would love to see a devoted Athing Mu who I sincerely think has a legitimate shot at the 800m WR by focusing full-time on the 800/1500m (occasional 400m) for the next 1-3 years.

She needs to go all in with track to get the 800m world record, she can't do that and dabble in modeling.

Respectfully, nothing could be further from the truth. I love watching her run, when she does. I just don't like her pulling out of meets, and the infrequency she runs. I don't expect her to run every week, but running as little as she has, is very disappointing. Then saying she might skip the Worlds is disgusting, if she is well. Of course, I assume it's her coach calling the shots, and he is suspect at best.

Your obsessed haters? This is not about you.

I am a fan of Athing Mu because she participates in a sport that I follow, just like I'm a fan of various other track athletes (ie from high school all way to elite). Some win all the time some of the athletes don't but they still participate in track and field

How can I be a fan of a TRACK ATHLETE if they rarely compete indoors or outdoors and then don't participate in THE major championships while healthy?

LET'S wait and see, hopefully Athing decides to compete at Worlds and then focus more on Gp track.

Why is it always about you?

What's Athing Mu's favorite book(s) or author(s)?

Surely she must have some, growing up in New Jersey and all, and having such a stellar academic career at A&M?

Maybe she can become an "ag model"! or appear at tractor and farm implement shows?

If Athing Mu only has 10 fans left, then I am one of them.

Vipam, you stated that if Athing chooses to not run worlds, you hope that writers/the press give her zero exposure in your words. You don't sound like a true Athing Mu fan at all when you say that. When Michael Jordan's dad died, he quit playing basketball in his prime while he was completely healthy, leaving for almost two years and even playing baseball for a bit. Yes, I was upset MJ wasn't playing basketball but I never wished the press would leave him for dead just because he didn't want to play at the time. Because to me he was still the greatest basketball player in the world just like Athing is arguably still the most talented middle distance runner in the world. You seem like a very fair weather fan of Athing Mu despite your claims to the contrary. Will I be upset if she doesn't run worlds? Yes, oh course, I will be a little let down but who knows the pressure shes dealing with right now? But she won't lose me as fan because I know good and well she has the talent to come back the 800 at any time, perhaps the 1500 too. Your half hearted faith seems rather weak to be such a "fan." I'm not hating on you, just pointing the extremes that seem contradictory for a supposed great fan.

She’s not losing a fan base; she’s just not building like she could if she performed more frequently. she’s a track and that’s what track stars do, or I should say, don’t do enough.