Athing Mu (born June 8, 2002) is an American middle-distance runner specialising in the 800m and 400m events. At the age of 19, she became the youngest woman to hold Olympic and world titles in an individual track and field discipline, the 800m.
Her personal bests stand at 1:54.97 in the 800m (American record) and 49.57 seconds in the 400m (American U20 record). Mu is the reigning 800m world champion (2022) and a two-time Olympic gold medalist from the 2020 Tokyo Games, where she won the 800m and the 4x400m relay.
She holds the world under-20 records in the indoor 800m (1:58.40) and the indoor 600m (1:23.57).
Athing Mu’s Olympic Medals
At the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Athing Mu made her Olympic debut at the age of 19, and she did so in spectacular fashion.
Women's 800m
Leading from start to finish, she crossed the finish line with a time of 1:55.21, setting a new American record. This performance not only earned her the gold medal but also ended a 53-year Olympic drought for the United States in this event.
Women's 4x400m Relay
Mu's second gold medal came as a member of the United States women's 4x400m relay team. Running the anchor leg, her split time of 48.32 seconds helped the team to victory with a world-leading time of 3:16.85.
Athing Mu's Medals Breakdown
World Championships
| Events | Medal | Year |
| 800m | Gold | 2022 (Eugene, USA) |
| 800m | Bronze | 2023 (Budapest, Hungary) |
Pan Pacific Championships
Athing Mu's medal tally also includes a gold medal from the 2019 Pan American U20 Championships in San José, Costa Rica, where she won the 800m event.
Summer Olympics
Mu's Olympic journey started with the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where she won two gold medals in the women's 800m and the 4x400m relay.
Athing Mu's Olympic Appearances
Athing Mu has participated in one Olympic Games thus far, the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, held in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This was her debut Olympic appearance where she won two gold medals.
Athing Mu's Records & Achievements
Youngest woman in history to hold Olympic and world titles in an individual track and field event
Holds the world under-20 record in the women's indoor 800m (1:58.40, set in 2021)
Holds the world U20 best in the indoor 600m (1:23.57, set in 2019)
NCAA champion in the 400m and 4x400m relay (2021)
Diamond League winner in the 800m (2021, 2022, 2023)
Athing Mu's Olympic Journey
Her Olympic debut at the 2020 Tokyo Games was a defining moment, as she not only secured two gold medals but also made it to the record books as the youngest woman in history to hold Olympic and world titles in an individual track and field event.
FAQ's On Athing Mu’s Medals
A. Yes, Athing Mu won two gold medals at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, claiming victories in the 800m and the 4x400m relay events.
A. Athing Mu's personal best and American record in the 800m stands at an impressive 1:54.97, which she set at the 2023 Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon.
A. No, Athing Mu did not win gold at the 2023 World Championships in Budapest. She secured a bronze medal in the 800m event.
A. Athing Mu made her Olympic debut at the age of 19 during the 2020 Tokyo Games.
A. During her freshman year at Texas A&M University, Athing Mu set six college records, including the 400m (49.57 seconds) and 4x400m relay (3:22.34).
