Are you cheering for Mu, Moraa or Hodgkinson?

I listened to the LR podcast preview, and that seems to be Gault's point of view - he said he never roots for anyone. I sometimes root for athletes that I like for whatever reason, but that's my view for this particular race - I'm neutral.

Crazy to see how the LR opinion on Mu has changed in the time I’ve been away from the site.

It’s unfortunate she doesn’t race much lately, but if she’s going through mental health struggles it’s understandable. You need to be super mentally sharp to race a good 800m, and speaking from experience, if depression or anxiety hits you just right there’s gonna be days or weeks where it’s physically impossible to have that sharpness. It’s hard to go sprint to muscular and aerobic failure in front of thousands of people when your brain is begging you to go get in bed and go to sleep. Then when you underperform it reassures your brain that you are better off not there. It’s a vicious cycle.

I’m cheering for both Keely and Athiing. I think their rivalry is gonna make the women’s 800m an amazing race to watch, maybe the most exciting at worlds. I know it’s easy to be disappointed we don’t get to see a lot of Mu but I’m rooting for her to beat whatever demons she’s facing. Lots of people forget that she’s just a kid.

Keely seeks to link her presumed "exploit" in Budapest with the épopée of England Women soccer team in FIFA 2023.

theguardian.com

Keely Hodgkinson seeks gold – and same recognition as friend Ella Toone

https://www.theguardian.com/profile/seaningle

The fastest woman over 800m this year is heading to the world championship looking to emulate her close friend Ella Toone

Link:www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/aug/18/...

Still cheering for Mu. Her coach has caused this controversy.

My exact quote from 2004 "We won the World Series!!!!"

YOU are the one who needs to stop being clever because you clearly have no clue about sports.

Kelly! 😻

Why were you downvoted?! I don't get this website sometimes. I don't see a single offensive thing you said.

I didn't know she struggled from mental illness honestly.

You make a fair point. Honestly, seeing Hassan tie up in the final sprint of the 10,000m final and also seeing Bol essentially push her body to (I'm assuming) physical exhaustion and collapse at the end of the mixed 4x400m tonight, yes, I can see your point.

I have been very hard on Sydney McLaughlin for not racing, but I do see that side of almost borderline mental illness in her, seeing her essentially look physically and mentally miserable before her race. I can see that McLaughlin essentially has pre-race dread, but then again, I can remember that feeling from my own pre-race jitters, although I'm sure it's amplified for them.

So yes, emotionally, I am rooting against Mu and McLaughlin, but you make a good point, CopperRunner.

I can see that argument, but it also makes it more fun for me to watch races when I'm emotionally invested.

But it can also lead to emotional pain/anger if your favored athlete loses.

And it can ALSO lead to getting mad at athletes that, frankly, don't deserve it as human beings. Which, hey, I can say I've been guilty of before, lol.

Such is the ecastasy and pain of sports I guess, though, no?

Keely. I'm from the USA.

Keely all the way. I would have gone with Mu but I feel she needs to be defeated to put fire back in her belly.

Hodgkinson.

I want Moraa to win. She's been neglected, I genuinely think it's a 3-woman race, not just Mu and Keely. Moraa has the best racing tactics for the 800 and beat Hodgkinson at the Commonwealth Games last year.

Mu cause she's on my fantasy roster

Mary Moraa.
I am Kenyan.
...and yes, Moraa will win it. I won't say "I told you so' but I'll be proven right.

With all hair dyes and kneeling going on, I'm rooting for the beautiful blonde girl.