LRC note: We've looked into this a bit more and Athing Mu never said she was running the 1500m at the NYC Grand Prix. Scott Reid wrote Athing Mu planned on running the 1500 at USAs and making her 2023 debut at the NYC Grand Prix, but did not explicitly say she would run the 1500 at NYC Grand Prix. We made the assumption she would be running the 1500 as she would need a qualifier for USAs, but she can apply for an exemption to run the 1500 at USAs without a qualifying time.
It's clear she's not running the 1500 in NYC now as their isn't one of the schedule. Originally the women's 1500 was the 2nd to last event on the schedule but now has been removed from the schedule.
Mu was originally slated to debut this season at the NYC GP over 1500m, however, there is no women's 1500m at the NYC GP on Saturday. Where/When is she going to debut? Will she simply take the bye in the 800m to Worlds or have the auto-entry in the 1500m at USAs due to selection?
Mu was originally slated to debut this season at the NYC GP over 1500m, however, there is no women's 1500m at the NYC GP on Saturday. Where/When is she going to debut? Will she simply take the bye in the 800m to Worlds or have the auto-entry in the 1500m at USAs due to selection?
Mu was never "slated to debut this season at the NYC GP over 1500m."
A few weeks ago Booby Kersee said that Athing Mu "might" run in an event in New York. And when Kersee says "might" he means "won't." That's how he talks.
And in any case, Kersee never said the 1500 in New York.
Kersee DID say that Athing Mu will run the 1500 at USA's.
I very much like the idea of going 1500 at US Nats. Will be tough to be in a tactical final. Not so keen on the idea of going 1500 at World meet. Seems like too big a hurdle. Better chance of beating Hodgkinson than Kepyegon.
I very much like the idea of going 1500 at US Nats. Will be tough to be in a tactical final. Not so keen on the idea of going 1500 at World meet. Seems like too big a hurdle. Better chance of beating Hodgkinson than Kepyegon.
Only problem with running at USAs is she has to qualify, which would require running a 1500. And knocking about 12 seconds off her PB. And she has exactly 5 days left do to this.
Running the 1500s at worlds isn't a decision she will have to worry about.
Is the whole Mu thing some weird kind of mind game to bewilder her rivals (Keely and Mary?). The whole thing is too weird for words, like how many 49s female 400m runners do we know who announce they are moving up to 1500? Looking down the 2023 toplist for 400m I can't see a single person who I can remember doing a 1500m. And that includes Moraa who is currently no. 20. She has never recorded anything over 1000m (apart from a road mile once).
When will she finally be declared Epo compliant/ friendly?
These hide and seek games point towards some major hidings...
No one competes the sport less, in history who was not severely hurt, than Mu and McGlaughlin, it's really not debateable. I wonder this? If their sponsors had known for sure..not just guessed at it, that they would barely compete, would the deals they received t , have been so good. Both make loads, off the track, but Track gave them the platform and stage to be that visible really.
anyone who thinks mu will race before USAs needs to get their head out of their ass. no chance that happens.
when she gets to USAs:
25% chance of flaming out within the heats or semis
50% chance of making the US team
25% chance of winning
no way she wins worlds this year. i refuse to believe its possible. if it happens, come back and make fun of me.
I agree with you. This is really a bizarre situation (or else the Kersee camp is just messing with us), she will get annihilated in the 1500M. At least McLaughlin is running the 400M which will help her in the 400Mh. Mu should also be running the 400M, if she runs 49 low or 48 high, the 55-56 second first lap of the 800M will feel really smooth.
Sponsors, like those of Mu and McLaughlin, pay significant amounts to these kinds of athletes who seldom compete but consistently win major championships because it allows the sponsors to align their brand with success, gain media exposure, leverage Mu's and McLaughlin's influence for endorsement purposes, make a long-term investment, and benefit from their appeal in various non-competition contexts.
anyone who thinks mu will race before USAs needs to get their head out of their ass. no chance that happens.
when she gets to USAs:
25% chance of flaming out within the heats or semis
50% chance of making the US team
25% chance of winning
All she has to do is start in any event at USATF (doesn't have to finish) and there is a 100% chance she is on the US team for the 800m. She's in because she's the defending world champion and USATF only requires that she compete at nationals.
Sponsors, like those of Mu and McLaughlin, pay significant amounts to these kinds of athletes who seldom compete but consistently win major championships because it allows the sponsors to align their brand with success, gain media exposure, leverage Mu's and McLaughlin's influence for endorsement purposes, make a long-term investment, and benefit from their appeal in various non-competition contexts.
Too much ado about nothing going on here.
People on these boards live in a bubble. I see Sydney on my TV screen 10x every Sunday during the NFL season in national New Balance and Gatorade ads. They don't care that the 500 people that own peacock (myself included) won't see her in the DL. As long as she shows up to major championships and wins and break records they do not care. The rest of T&F sponsorships are a charity, Nike is getting zero ROI sponsoring David Ribich.
People on these boards live in a bubble. I see Sydney on my TV screen 10x every Sunday during the NFL season in national New Balance and Gatorade ads. They don't care that the 500 people that own peacock (myself included) won't see her in the DL.
and the average person who does see that ad is gonna think she's just some model nb hired to wear their products in a commercial.
All she has to do is start in any event at USATF (doesn't have to finish) and there is a 100% chance she is on the US team for the 800m. She's in because she's the defending world champion and USATF only requires that she compete at nationals.
I was looking for this comment.
She actually doesn't even have to start any event at USAs either, if she's injured (like Muhammad was last year), she will receive a bye and can compete at Worlds.
As for what shape she will be in at Budapest, that's anyone's guess
What’s the obsession with Mu on LR? Many elite sprinters are yet to start their season, why the fixation on Mu? Most are debuting at their national trials. In the US, you have to run a round at trials to use your bye unless you are injured.
No off year till 2026, 5 years of consecutive championship years is unusual and not ideal, I am not surprised most athletes are treating this season as an off year, so they can be fresh for Paris.
What’s the obsession with Mu on LR? Many elite sprinters are yet to start their season, why the fixation on Mu? Most are debuting at their national trials. In the US, you have to run a round at trials to use your bye unless you are injured.
No off year till 2026, 5 years of consecutive championship years is unusual and not ideal, I am not surprised most athletes are treating this season as an off year, so they can be fresh for Paris.
what? genuinely how is this even a question? letsrun is a distance focused board. athing mu won the olympic 800 as 19 year old and the worlds 800 as a 20 year old to become one of the best distance runners in US history, and now she’s talking about moving up to the 1500. i’m honestly surprised that there hasn’t been more discussion around here about her.
People on these boards live in a bubble. I see Sydney on my TV screen 10x every Sunday during the NFL season in national New Balance and Gatorade ads. They don't care that the 500 people that own peacock (myself included) won't see her in the DL.
and the average person who does see that ad is gonna think she's just some model nb hired to wear their products in a commercial.
Totally agree. They’re not paying attention trying to figure out who she is. Same with any commercials or ads in store featuring pro runners. People don’t know and don’t care.
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