For an Olympic gold medalist, defending their title is possibly an even bigger challenge than winning the hardware in the first place. And yet, not all stories are meant for the stars. As the US Track and Field Tem Trials rage on, hopeful news is coming in by the hour for Team USA’s 2024 Olympics hopes. But it wasn’t the same for Athing Mu. After tripping 200 meters into the women’s 800m final race, the 2020 Olympic champion failed to secure a place in the national team headed for France. But the fans got her back.

For many, watching Mu defend her title was going to be the highlight of the upcoming Paris Games. As her tumble broke hearts around the country, a big part of the community wasn’t up for giving the 22-year-old a hall pass. And now, as perplexing information comes to the fore, more fans come forward to laud Mu for her courage.

A bumpier ride for Athing Mu to Eugene than her peers

In a post on X from earlier today, Track & Field Gazette revealed that Athing had suffered a hamstring injury only four weeks before the trials. With Hayward Field being one of the most crucial tournaments ahead of the Paris Olympics, most of the country’s top athletes had been preparing for the tournament in Eugene, except for Athing.

“Here’s why Athing Mu didn’t race at all before Olympic Trials!” reads the post’s caption as it attempts to set the record straight as to why she wasn’t among the stars in deep preparation mode ahead of the trials. And now, with the new revelation, fans have jumped on the opportunity to extend their gratitude to Mu for pushing herself to the limits to bring glory to her country.

The community makes its love felt

While some fans continue to doubt Athing’s intentions before one of the most important tournaments of the year, other community members seem to be convinced that it was the right call for the Olympian. Among them, long jump sensation Tara Davis-Woodhall, who qualified for the women’s long jump final at the trials yesterday, is a significant voice. After Mu’s ordeal came to light, Tara took to social media to make her stand clear on the matter as she stood firm in her colleague’s corner. “i believe everything happens for a reason. god was protecting her from something bigger. the courage for her to step on the line is inspiring,” wrote the track and field star, hailing Athing for the mental integrity she showed.

Alex is also fuming at those who were skeptical as to why Athing was absent from every competition leading up to the trials. “People were saying she should’ve been competing before trials, but it was obviously a reason that she wasn’t,” the fan sounded her frustration on X.

A fan from Florida demands that whoever sneered at Athing after her fall at the trials should make things right, immediately! “And all yall folks was saying she should’ve been racing… yall know what to do.. apologize,” the fan is adamant, and we think they have a good point too!

“i apologize,” one fan was prompt to acknowledge their mistake and seemed willing to do right by Athing.

Another fan also took the opportunity to reiterate why internet experts’ opinions should be taken with a pinch of salt and not be seen as some kind of dictum to blindly accept. “this is why it’s never smart to listen to twitter coaches bc they’ll swear she pulled out of races for shits and giggles,” this fan said in reference to Mu’s story.

How different would you have wanted things to pan out at the Team Trials in Oregon for Mu? Share how the runner fares in your books with us below!