There is one precedent that I can think of for this, but no one is going to like it, namely, Caster Semenya, who medaled in the 1500m after running 50 or sub-50 (but not medalling in the 400m). Kersee may think that Mu is already more than fast enough at 400m for the 800m and that her greatest gains will come from endurance training. As a sprint coach, he probably sees endurance training as a 4M long run twice a week, plus 400-800 repeats, and a day or two of sprint training, so that she will not lose contact with her speed. She and Syd might be the best two 400m female 400m runners.
There is one precedent that I can think of for this, but no one is going to like it, namely, Caster Semenya, who medaled in the 1500m after running 50 or sub-50 (but not medalling in the 400m).
Completely irrelevant. NEWSFLASH - Caster Semenya is actually male.
Not going to fall for the BS by this group. I am sure that in the days before USA's both SML and Mu will come down with some injury/illness and get a pass from USATf to not have to compete and still get to use their auto into Worlds
That's correct. There is a much greater chance that Mu backs out of USA's with an injury than there is of Mu running the 1500.
Has ANY 1500 runner every been in contention to make a national 4x400 team?
Well, ok. Let's rephrase that. Has any 1500 runner outside of the eastern block and maybe early 90s China ever been in contention to make a national 4x400 team?
A lot of teams have a pretty small Olympic delegation, so I'm sure it has happened outside the US. Actually, wasn't Donavan Brazier initially entered in both the 800 and 1500 at the 2021 USOT? This video title seems to indicate that was his plan, but he only ended up running the 800 -- goes to show that the chances of Mu actually taking this seriously seem to be slimming.
Remember, the USATF rule is that you only need to run one round of any event to "qualify" for Worlds in your primary event if you have a bye. Given their prior racing history, I think this is Kersee's plan until I hear otherwise.
Fernando Mamede ran in the 4x400m (Montreal Olympics I think) for Portugal, and ran a world record for 10,000m.
Sebastian Coe had a world-record for a mile (as well as 800m, 1000m and 1500m) and ran on British teams in 4x400m (he might also have won a AAA Championship at 400m).
Assuming that there are heats, I also think that there is a good shot she doesn't get through her heat, or is so gassed that she'll be exhausted for the final.
Sebastian Coe had a world-record for a mile (as well as 800m, 1000m and 1500m) and ran on British teams in 4x400m (he might also have won a AAA Championship at 400m).
Coe is a very different situation than Mu.
In the 2021 Olympics, Athing Mu ran 48.32 which was the fastest split in the world that year. Also in 2021, Athing Mu ran the fastest 4x400 split in history indoors, 49.54.
Coe was never even remotely close to being the fastest in the world in the 400.