American · Fayetteville, USA · Born 8 June 20022020 Olympic 800m champion, 2022 world champion.
Athing Mu was born on 8 June 2002 in Trenton, New Jersey, to South Sudanese immigrant parents, Deng Mu and Aluel Lual, and is the second-youngest of seven siblings, beginning competitive running at just six years old with the Trenton Track Club. Mu broke the American record in the 600 metres as a 16-year-old junior, and enrolled at Texas A&M University, where she set six all-time collegiate records and won three NCAA titles before turning professional after just one year, forgoing her remaining college eligibility. Mu won gold in the 800m and the 4x400m relay at the delayed Tokyo 2020 Olympics, becoming the first American woman to win the Olympic 800m title since 1968, and went on to become the first American woman to win the world title in the event at the 2022 World Championships. Mu remained unbeaten in the 800m for three years before finally being defeated, setting the American record of 1:54.97 in 2023, and has continued competing at an elite level, training under renowned coach Bobby Kersee and remaining one of the most dominant middle-distance runners in the world.
800m
How They Played
Powerful finishing kick, tactical racing intelligence, strong in championship finals
Lasting Impact
One of the greatest American middle-distance runners, revolutionized women's 800m
Career Honours
- 2020 Olympic gold 800m & 4x400m
- 2022 World champ 800m
American Athletes