LRC note: We've looked into this a bit more and Athing Mu never said she was running the 1500m at the NYC Grand Prix. Scott Reid wrote Athing Mu planned on running the 1500 at USAs and making her 2023 debut at the NYC Grand Prix, but did not explicitly say she would run the 1500 at NYC Grand Prix. We made the assumption she would be running the 1500 as she would need a qualifier for USAs, but she can apply for an exemption to run the 1500 at USAs without a qualifying time.
It's clear she's not running the 1500 in NYC now as their isn't one of the schedule. Originally the women's 1500 was the 2nd to last event on the schedule but now has been removed from the schedule.
I very much like the idea of going 1500 at US Nats. Will be tough to be in a tactical final. Not so keen on the idea of going 1500 at World meet. Seems like too big a hurdle. Better chance of beating Hodgkinson than Kepyegon.
Only problem with running at USAs is she has to qualify, which would require running a 1500. And knocking about 12 seconds off her PB. And she has exactly 5 days left do to this.
Running the 1500s at worlds isn't a decision she will have to worry about.
There are several things that some of you don't understand.
There is a loophole that says athletes who are high up enough on the food chain (Olympic champs and World champs) don't have to qualify for USA's. They can just show up without qualifying.
So Mu does NOT need a qualifying time in the 1500 in order to run the 1500 at USA's.
Mu is ONLY running the 1500 at USA's because she is required to run something, and Bobby Kersee doesn't want her to run an 800 because he doesn't want anyone to know how out of shape she is. (By "out of shape" I mean 1:58-ish, instead of 1:55/1:56.)
Athing Mu is NOT trying to qualify for Worlds in the 1500. She has zero interest in running the 1500 at Worlds. She will only be running the 800 at Worlds.
There is also a very good possibility that Athing Mu requests, and gets, an injury exemption for USA's, and she doesn't run any events at USA's. Meaning that her first race of the year might be the first round of the 800 at Worlds.
Only problem with running at USAs is she has to qualify, which would require running a 1500. And knocking about 12 seconds off her PB. And she has exactly 5 days left do to this.
Running the 1500s at worlds isn't a decision she will have to worry about.
There are several things that some of you don't understand.
There is a loophole that says athletes who are high up enough on the food chain (Olympic champs and World champs) don't have to qualify for USA's. They can just show up without qualifying.
So Mu does NOT need a qualifying time in the 1500 in order to run the 1500 at USA's.
Mu is ONLY running the 1500 at USA's because she is required to run something, and Bobby Kersee doesn't want her to run an 800 because he doesn't want anyone to know how out of shape she is. (By "out of shape" I mean 1:58-ish, instead of 1:55/1:56.)
Athing Mu is NOT trying to qualify for Worlds in the 1500. She has zero interest in running the 1500 at Worlds. She will only be running the 800 at Worlds.
There is also a very good possibility that Athing Mu requests, and gets, an injury exemption for USA's, and she doesn't run any events at USA's. Meaning that her first race of the year might be the first round of the 800 at Worlds.
LMFAO in advance of her first round knockout, if your last scenario plays out.
Genetic freak -- in best sense (if she's not doping) -- does well, then throws it all away for... what?
Kersee's ego?
Or is she so super smart she's using Kersee's insipid middle-distance blowhardism as a shield for her own disinterest?
There are several things that some of you don't understand.
There is a loophole that says athletes who are high up enough on the food chain (Olympic champs and World champs) don't have to qualify for USA's. They can just show up without qualifying.
So Mu does NOT need a qualifying time in the 1500 in order to run the 1500 at USA's.
Mu is ONLY running the 1500 at USA's because she is required to run something, and Bobby Kersee doesn't want her to run an 800 because he doesn't want anyone to know how out of shape she is. (By "out of shape" I mean 1:58-ish, instead of 1:55/1:56.)
Athing Mu is NOT trying to qualify for Worlds in the 1500. She has zero interest in running the 1500 at Worlds. She will only be running the 800 at Worlds.
There is also a very good possibility that Athing Mu requests, and gets, an injury exemption for USA's, and she doesn't run any events at USA's. Meaning that her first race of the year might be the first round of the 800 at Worlds.
LMFAO in advance of her first round knockout, if your last scenario plays out.
Genetic freak -- in best sense (if she's not doping) -- does well, then throws it all away for... what?
Kersee's ego?
Or is she so super smart she's using Kersee's insipid middle-distance blowhardism as a shield for her own disinterest?
Yes, I think Mu is having a hard time staying interested in track. She's already won the Olympics, Worlds, and set the American record. And the World record is out of her reach. What more does she have to prove?
As crazy as it sounds for her first 800 race of the year to be at Worlds, maybe Kersee realizes that Mu is pretty far behind right now and he thinks that training straight through to Worlds is her best shot at winning.
Keely in 1:55 shape vs Mu in who knows what kind of shape vs Moraa the crazy tactician. That will be an interesting race if they all make the final.
Is the whole Mu thing some weird kind of mind game to bewilder her rivals (Keely and Mary?). The whole thing is too weird for words, like how many 49s female 400m runners do we know who announce they are moving up to 1500? Looking down the 2023 toplist for 400m I can't see a single person who I can remember doing a 1500m. And that includes Moraa who is currently no. 20. She has never recorded anything over 1000m (apart from a road mile once).
I briefly entertained this idea (more regarding the infrequent racing) but honestly, I really don't think so. By doing that it would disadvantage her more than any advantages that came out of the situation, surely?
Maybe it's simply a fitness issue. She does not want to race until both she and her coach feel like she will race to the standard that she wants to achieve. Quite frankly, that is understandable (regarding not racing).
I briefly entertained this idea (more regarding the infrequent racing) but honestly, I really don't think so. By doing that it would disadvantage her more than any advantages that came out of the situation, surely?
Maybe it's simply a fitness issue. She does not want to race until both she and her coach feel like she will race to the standard that she wants to achieve. Quite frankly, that is understandable (regarding not racing).
I think it is fitness. She has really high (I’d argue too high) standards. She hasn’t lost a pro 800 and that seems to matter to her. We probably won’t see her until she absolutely has to race or thinks she’s in sub-1:57 shape (and in a race without the other 2). Not good for the sport? Sure. But it appears the sport is not good for her at the moment and competing is not something she wants to do.
This post was edited 1 minute after it was posted.
I understand. I'd like to see Mu dabble in the 1500 and believe she could do big things when compared to the Americans. Obviously, sticking with the 800m at an International meet is the only way to go. Her wheelhouse is 600/800/1000.
Only problem with running at USAs is she has to qualify, which would require running a 1500. And knocking about 12 seconds off her PB. And she has exactly 5 days left do to this.
Running the 1500s at worlds isn't a decision she will have to worry about.
There are several things that some of you don't understand.
There is a loophole that says athletes who are high up enough on the food chain (Olympic champs and World champs) don't have to qualify for USA's. They can just show up without qualifying.
So Mu does NOT need a qualifying time in the 1500 in order to run the 1500 at USA's.
Mu is ONLY running the 1500 at USA's because she is required to run something, and Bobby Kersee doesn't want her to run an 800 because he doesn't want anyone to know how out of shape she is. (By "out of shape" I mean 1:58-ish, instead of 1:55/1:56.)
Athing Mu is NOT trying to qualify for Worlds in the 1500. She has zero interest in running the 1500 at Worlds. She will only be running the 800 at Worlds.
There is also a very good possibility that Athing Mu requests, and gets, an injury exemption for USA's, and she doesn't run any events at USA's. Meaning that her first race of the year might be the first round of the 800 at Worlds.
I’m sorry but regardless of these rules… she isn’t “required” to run basically anything. Is she no longer into racing? Why be a pro athlete if you’re just going to show up when required. No fan has any respect for that kind of arrogant athlete. So she’s only around when there’s a big medal at stake and any other meet is below her in other words. Screw that. No reason to support her
I agree thoughtsleader. I don't think she is the type who wants to race herself into shape - at all. I think she would hate to run anything that she considers to be sub par!
She was announced earlier today to be running the 800 in NY this weekend.
If she is, she isn't on the start list, yet. This also seems like a STACKED field to open up against...
OLIVIA BAKERUnited States
SAGE HURTA-KLECKERUnited States
CHARLENE LIPSEYUnited States
HEATHER MACLEANUnited States
KRISTIE SCHOFFIELDUnited States
ESTHER SEELANDUnited States
SAMANTHA WATSONUnited States
4AJEE WILSONUnited States
12ALLIE WILSONUnited States
The field is no big deal for Athing Mu. Assuming she actually runs, Athing Mu will grab the lead right way and hang on as long as she can. Maybe she'll win, maybe a few people will pass her in the last 100 meters.
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