In an unexpected twist, Athing Mu, the middle-distance runner who claimed the 800m gold at the Tokyo Olympics, has not been included in the US track and field roster for the Paris Olympics. Despite being considered for the relay pool, Mu will not be participating in Paris 2024, which begins later this month.
As anticipated, prominent athletes such as Noah Lyles, Sha’Carri Richardson, Gabby Thomas, and Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone are leading the US track and field team, which comprises over 100 athletes. The roster includes four current Olympic champions: Ryan Crouser (shot put), McLaughlin-Levrone (400m hurdles), Katie Moon (pole vault), and Valarie Allman (discus).
Quincy Wilson, a 16-year-old high school student from Maryland who finished sixth in the 400m at the trials, and sprinter Christian Coleman have been selected for the relay pool.
Mu’s absence comes after a fall during the 800m final at the US Olympic trials, resulting in her finishing last. She was a vital part of the gold-medal-winning 4x400m relay team at the Tokyo Olympics.
Noah Lyles is set to compete in the 100m and 200m, having won both events at the world championships in Budapest last summer and contributing to the US’s 4x100m relay victory. Kenny Bednarek will also take part in both sprint events.
Sha’Carri Richardson, the reigning 100m world champion, will make her Olympic debut in Paris after missing the Tokyo Games due to a positive marijuana test. She is expected to be a key competitor in the sprints.
In the distance events, Karissa Schweizer and Grant Fisher have earned spots in both the 5000m and 10000m. Following the trials, Elle St Pierre chose to focus on the 1500m, relinquishing her 5000m spot to Parker Valby. Valby, however, decided to concentrate on the 10000m, which led to Whittni Morgan, who finished fifth at the trials, being awarded the 5000m spot. Morgan has quickly recovered from a patellar tendon debridement procedure she underwent last November.
Despite the absence of Athing Mu, the US track and field team is poised for a strong performance at the Paris Olympics.
