“System Is Broken”: Athing Mu’s Possible Paris Olympics Bid Throws Track and Field Legend Into Hot Mess With Community

Since Athing Mu’s disqualification in the 800m final round in the ongoing US Olympic track and field trials, the discussion has faced a flood of logic and counterlogic. A large chunk of the track and field fans have voted for a rerun of the event. Such a demand has found its air after smelling something fishy in Mu’s tripping in the 200m of the event.

The visuals show that the defending Olympic champion couldn’t control the jerk of tripping and claimed the last position on the leaderboard. While the voices for a rerun were achieving a headline, some demanded to put her name into the upcoming 1500m trial roster. But such things are contrary to the US Trials Selection policy- the same policy that has been hailed by a legend today. 

In his X-post, Michael Johnson grieved over Athing Mu’s exit from the women’s 800m American team for the Paris Olympics. But he is not ready to question the existing policy. The four-time Olympic champion carefully noted, “Our US Trials selection policy works best because it eliminates politics in selection. And the strength and depth of the US team allows such a policy.”

But those statements irked several track and field followers. They have questioned such policies that fail to counter the issues that prove to be a heavy blow to the favorites. Keeping a tab on Athing Mu’s fiasco, one such fan has penned, “The system is broken if it’s leaving Olympic gold medal favourites at home.” But there is no such special provision for the Olympic champions or favorites in the selection policy. 

As per the rule book of both USATF and World Athletics, the runners in the 800m contest can be selected based on their timings, spent in covering the event on the track. There’s no such dictate to judge the runner by any otherwise scale. As far as Athing Mu’s tripping is concerned, the authorities can inspect the entire issue if the complaint comes from any stakeholder. However, as of now, nothing of that sort has come. Still, an argument for rerun is far-fetched. According to Michael Johnson, such lids on the rules make the things above out of doubt. Moreover, Athing Mu is prone to face a few things. 

In her Tokyo Olympics trials in the same Hayward Field, the former world champion had a chance to tumble. At the last minute, she managed to stand on her feet. That incident wasn’t abrupt as in the near past, she went through similar experiences because of either her heights or her long strides. But this time the tripping has attracted the most attention because of her tag of being the favorite to defend her Olympic title. However, several fans have still questioned the policies for not being flexible with the champions. 

The policies come to the receiving end after Athing Mu’s loss

A fan has questioned the basic part, depth that was hailed by Micheal Johnson being the most attractive feature. The fan wrote, “It’s a punishment to our elite athletes because we have some much depth.” With that, the fan has sobbed over the lack of facilities like wild card entry or the exemption because of meeting the time requirements. However, in the USATF’s policies, such things do not exist. However, a discretion rule may find an athlete an entry in the qualified relay team. But the fans have still argued over the absence of favorites in the main list. 

Athing Mu holds the top position in that list of favorites and she has numbers to support her nomination. Eventually, supporting her cause, one fan added, “I’ve always disliked this policy, I think that subject to current performance levels, reigning Olympic champions should be able to defend their titles”. Yet, some fans have pointed out that her absence from the event might hurt the viewership in Paris and the policies will remain the culprit. 

A comment of that hue has shown up in the comment box: “This is bad for the sport though, it’s no reason the reigning Olympic champion should not get an opportunity. Sadly this will really hurt the sport and the Olympics overall”. Expectedly, from the US, Athing Mu would have the best chance to claim a podium finish. Now in her absence, things might get a little attention. 

In the meantime, one fan has questioned the authority to bring in a such high number of athletes in the 800m event in the trials. The policies have faced the most beating as according to the fans, the policies couldn’t restrict the crowd on the lanes and Athing Mu tripped because of friction with someone. Such arguments may come in the future as well. But the stakeholders’ deafening silence from yesterday says that everything has happened because of the policies.