Athing Mu on The Pivot Podcast

Great interview, really brought out where she is coming from and where she is at.

A long time coming for this revealing interview. Kudos to the interviewers for providing ample space and comfort for Mu to speak freely, and for keeping the talk chill yet lively--and far from the cloying, insidious (refreshingly, the “Millrose fiasco” was not dispatched in a moment of scything passive-aggression) and dickish tones other podcasters might've slipped into.

A few rough time-stamps:
7:00 -- college recruiting; nearly dropping track when Covid hit
9:00 -- reflections on her South-Sudanese heritage and the dynamics of identity
16:00 -- how quickly life changed in the two-year transition from HS kid to grown-ass professional and Olympic champion
20:00 -- dual aspirations: elite running and modelling
30:00 -- rivalry with Hodgkinson and how the two of them have made the 800 a showcase event
40:00 -- why she didn’t run indoors this year

Is it me or does she seem like she doesn't enjoy track that much and wants to retire and take up modelling? I hope she follows her passions, but if she's going to retire I hope she at least maximises her potential first! She can do big things

Is this a joke? Racing 800m is not enjoyable. I am not sure about modeling but if anyone enjoys racing 800m this would be surprising.

It's true that Athing Mu doesn't like track that much, but I don't think that she dislikes it to the point of quitting.

Thats all she does on IG is model.

That is obviously NOT Athing Mu, doesn't look anything like her.

Pretty funny that she put “PSA: I still run Track” on her IG profile

In her first years as a pro, she’s won an olympic and world title. It’s hard to stay motivated when you have accomplished those two already. Jakob has mentioned similar feelings when he won Tokyo. Good for her for going out on top if Paris is her last buildup.

Already on the first page the hate starts. Cess pit Letsrun.com message board.

Just the usual Letsrun incels.

I train for 800m. It is very enjoyable and I will do for all my life. You need everything for 800m, so no routine.

I can drop in 200m races, 400m, mile 10k, hm, xc with 800m training whenever I want.

If you train for the 800m and find it enjoyable, yer doin it rong.

Maybe you’re doing life wrong.

Training for the 800 is INCREDIBLY hard.

And I love it.

Training for everything is incredibly hard.

The sad truth is that MU might switch from being an elite athlete to being an average model and still make the same money. With much less tax on the body.

Exactly. You can enjoy process of it.

Also, when You have trained well, You can ignore pain in races.

My legs at last 200m are full of lactate, but I am very happy knowing that I have gave my best and set good time and mostly winning.

Britton considers it as "fun".

Very good interview and a little insight about her future.