EUGENE, Ore. — There will be a new Olympic champion in the women’s 800 meters this year.
Track and field officials denied Athing Mu’s appeal after the 800 American record-holder stumbled and fell to the track during the first lap of the final on Monday night.
Nia Akins ended up winning the final, running a 1:57.36. Allie Wilson placed second at 1:58.32 and Juliette Whittaker came in third at 1:58.45.
Mu got tangled up in the pack of runners as she tried to gain position in the inside lane during the first lap. She lost her footing and fell to the track as the others ran by. Mu was behind the pack by a wide margin by the time she was able to regain her footing.
Mu continued to run but she was not in contention. She eventually crossed the finish line in last place with a time of 2:19.69. After Mu finished, she exited the track visibly emotional.
USA Track and Field officials reviewed the race footage and denied Mu’s appeal.
Mu’s stunning fall underscored what’s been a tough season for the 22-year-old. She battled a hamstring injury for most of the year and made her season debut at the U.S. Olympic track and field trials.
Mu won gold in the 800 at the Tokyo Olympics in which became the first American woman to win an Olympic gold medal in the event since Madeline Manning did it at the 1968 Mexico City Games. Mu's also a 2022 world champion in the event.
Mu’s appeal was denied which means she won’t be able to compete at the Paris Olympics in the 800. But she is a candidate for the 4x400 relay pool. The relay pool will be selected at a later date.
Mu was a member of Team USA’s 4x400 gold-medal winning squad at the Tokyo Olympics.
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