There is a first prominent victim at the trials, the Olympic qualifiers for US track and field athletes in Eugene. Olympic champion Athing Mu falls in the 800 m and misses the Summer Games in Paris.
The 22-year-old Mu fell in the middle of the field after 200 m and was never able to catch up with her rivals again. She let her tears run free in the final meters of the race. At the merciless trials, the first three of each competition qualify for the Olympic Games. There is no consideration for big names or previous achievements.
Athing Mu not only won the gold medal in the 800 m at the Summer Games in Tokyo, but also the World Championship title in Eugene in 2022. She is trained by star coach Bob Kersee, but was never able to compete the whole season before eliminations. She started the season late due to a thigh injury. Nia Akins (1st in 1:57.36 minutes), Allie Wilson and Juliette Whittaker will be competing for the USA in the 800 m in Paris.
There was another surprise in the discus: 26-year-old world champion Laulauga Tausaga failed to produce a valid throw in qualifying and missed out on the final and the Olympic Games.
