“I’m just happy to be able to run again”: USA’s Athing Mu eagerly anticipating Olympic return at Paris 2024
Track athletics talent Athing Mu has expressed her joy at being able to return to the competition in time for the Olympic Games Paris 2024.
The two-time Olympic champion from the USA will be competing in her first race of the year at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team trials, which get underway on Friday (21 June) in Oregon. She has not competed since September 2023, kept out of action with a hamstring injury.
Speaking to Sports Illustrated, Mu said, “It goes beyond just being a great athlete. Because, again, there’s expectations, there’s pressure; just eyes being put on you. The best part is I’m enjoying it in a different way, not on a bad roll but genuinely happy.
“I was at peace with myself. I’m blessed with this gift. I can’t take it for granted. I’m here for a reason.”
Mu won two golds at Tokyo 2020 in 2021, triumphing in the women’s 800m and the women’s 4x400m relay on her Olympic debut. Since then, she has overcome adversity to set her focus on a second Olympic Games in July.
“My vision, early on, used to be so small,” Mu continued, “now I see the bigger picture. I’m going to appreciate this more. I have so much gratitude. I’m just so happy for everything that’s getting ready to come, what’s right at my feet. I’m just happy to be able to run again.”
Mu made history when she won the women’s 800m in Tokyo, becoming the first American woman to win the event in over 50 years. If she makes the team for Paris*, she will have the chance to become the second athlete to win consecutive women's 800m titles after South Africa’s Caster Semenya in London 2012 and Rio 2016.
*As National Olympic Committees have the exclusive authority for the representation of their respective countries at the Olympic Games, athletes' participation at the Paris Games depends on their NOC selecting them to represent their delegation at Paris 2024.