“You’re Just Getting Started”: Allyson Felix Conguratulates Tokyo Olympics 2021 Bound Athing Mu After Record Breaking Athletics Trials

Another medal prospect for the USA has emerged in the form of 19-year-old, Athing Mu. The runner blasted through the field to clinch the top spot in 800m at the 2021 US Olympic track and field trials ahead of Tokyo Olympics 2021. And Athing was given great encouragement by the six-time Olympic gold medalist, Allyson Felix.

Athing Mu bagged the gold in trials after clocking 1:56.07, which became the new trials record. She was comfortably in the lead with the second-best runner over 1.5 seconds behind her. With the performance, Athing Mu is going to the Tokyo Olympics 2021, and Allyson Felix lauded the young prodigy.

“Congrats @athiiing and you’re just getting started,” Allyson Felix tweeted.

Allyson Felix reacts after placing second in women’s 400m. Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Allyson Felix will be preparing for her fifth and last Olympic Games. She will take part in 400m after she qualified second in the trials. This will also be her first Olympics as a mother and hence will looking to add some more medals to the nine Olympic medals she has won.

Athing Mu will make her Olympic debut at Tokyo Olympics 2021

Athing Mu’s timing of 1:56.07 is just short of the Rio Olympics 2016 gold medal time of 1:55.28. Her timing would have been enough to get the Olympic Silver at Rio. Given her age, she is a prodigy and hence will have a lot of expectations for Tokyo.

“I take everything what people say lightly. I don’t let it get to my head. It’s awesome, but being a prodigy is I guess something that I always wanted to be,” Athing Mu said.

Athing Mu and Nikki Hiltz lead a women’s 800m. Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Mu will be making her Olympic debut in Tokyo. It was her lifelong dream to become an Olympian and now she will be representing the United States in the Olympics. Athing Mu had earlier represented the USA at the 2018 Youth Olympics where she clinched a silver in 800m.

“It would be a dream come true. Every time somebody asked me, ‘what do you want to be when you grow up?’ I’m always like I want to be a professional athlete and I want to be an Olympian. Those are two things I would say. It’s exactly where I’m supposed to be. I’ve worked for this and I’m ready to compete and do anything that I have to do to get on the team.” Mu said.

Among the qualifiers for Tokyo Olympics, Athing Mu has the best time yet. USA hasn’t had a woman Olympic champion in 800m since the 1968 Olympic Games, Athing Mu could soon change that in Tokyo.

Read more: Sydney McLaughlin Smashes the 400m Hurdles World Record Ahead of Tokyo Olympics 2021

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