Athing Mu, the reigning 800-meter Olympic champion, was denied an appeal after falling during the U.S. Olympic Trials, dashing her hopes of defending her title. Mu’s coach, Bobby Kersee, asserted that she was clipped by another runner on the backstretch of the first lap, causing her to veer left and tumble to the ground. Despite a review of the race footage, USA Track and Field officials ultimately denied the appeal, citing incidental contact as part of normal racing.
While Mu managed to get back on her feet and finish the race, she sustained scrapes from the fall and an ankle injury. The US Olympic system awards spots to the top three finishers at the trials, with no exceptions for prior performances or Olympic titles. This rigid system has been a subject of debate, particularly in cases like Mu’s, where a top athlete is denied a chance to compete due to an unfortunate incident.
Kersee highlighted the contrast between the US system and other countries, suggesting that the US might miss out on sending some of its best athletes to the Olympics. He reflected on the unforgiving nature of the US system, emphasizing its adherence to strict qualification criteria. Despite the setback, Mu will be eligible for the relay pool and could potentially compete in the 4×400 relay at the Paris Games.
