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The Tokyo Olympic Champion is set for first 800m since 2023 amid comeback journey
Hayward Field will once again play host to one of its most storied champions as Athing Mu-Nikolayev returns for her first 800m race in nearly a year at the 50th Prefontaine Classic on Saturday.
The event marks not only her return to top-tier competition but also a symbolic homecoming to a venue that has been pivotal in shaping her stellar career.
The 23-year-old American, who married Russian middle-distance runner Yegor Nikolayev in March, enters the Prefontaine Classic with tempered expectations but a clear focus.
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“My preparation has been excellent,” Athing Mu said on Thursday as quoted by NBC Sports.
“I’m in a great place mentally. While it’s not ideal for this high-caliber race to be my first 800m since last July, I’ve accepted that. We’re extremely happy with our training progress.”
A Fitting Stage for a Champion’s Return
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Hayward Field is more than just a track for Athing Mu, it is where she etched her name into history.
In 2021, she broke the NCAA 400m record on this track, earned a spot on the U.S. Olympic team with a personal best, and went on to win gold in the 800m at the Tokyo Olympics.
She returned in 2022 to claim her first world title and then in 2023, she smashed the American 800m record, clocking an incredible 1:54.97.
In 2024, however, the narrative was different.
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A hamstring tear six weeks before the Olympic Trials threw her season into uncertainty.
In a heartbreaking turn during the Trials final in Eugene, a collision with fellow American Raevyn Rogers caused a fall that eliminated her from contention for the Paris Games.
“It was very difficult,” said her coach Bobby Kersee.
“My coaching philosophy is to get her right back into it, and she tolerated me. It was tough for both of us.”
Instead of racing in Paris, Athing Mu supported her training partners from the sidelines, reflecting on a disrupted year while preparing for a reset.
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Building Back, One Lap at a Time
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Since her Olympic heartbreak, Athing Mu has slowly eased back into competition.
Her early season included a series of subdued events, using a 5000m as a workout, and winning two 1500m races, all designed to rebuild strength, confidence, and racing instincts.
Saturday’s 800m showdown will see her tested by the sport’s current elite in reigning world champion Mary Moraa of Kenya and Olympic silver medalist Keely Hodgkinson of Great Britain.
Despite the high stakes, Athing Mu remains grounded in her approach.
“I want to get back to the fundamentals that made me a top 800m runner. Feeling that on Saturday is more important than hitting a specific time,” she emphasized
As the Prefontaine Classic celebrates its golden jubilee, all eyes will be on Hayward Field once again to witness Athing Mu begin her next chapter.
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