Olympic champion Athing Mu's hopes of defending title dashed after tumble at US trials, appeal denial

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American runner Athing Mu entered Monday's U.S. Olympic track and field trials with hopes that she would qualify for an opportunity to repeat as an Olympic champion.

But a surprising fall during the two-lap race brought those hopes to a screeching halt. Mu, who was a member of the gold-medal team in the 4x400 at the Tokyo Games, lost her footing after she got tangled in a pack of runners and stumbled to the ground.

The amount of ground that Mu lost due to the fall was ultimately too much for her to overcome, and she failed to catch up with the rest of the group of runners.

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Athing Mu ahead of competing in the women's 800-meter final during the U.S. Olympic Team Track & Field Trials at Hayward Field on June 24, 2024, in Eugene, Oregon. (Getty Images)

Mu was running in the third lane from the rail when she veered inside a little too close to fellow Tokyo Olympian Raevyn Rogers.

Mu’s coach, Bobby Kersee, confirmed that a protest was filed with USA Track and Field. The appeal was based on the premise that Mu was "impeded" by other runners.

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USA Track and Field officials reviewed footage of the race deep into the evening but ultimately decided to deny the appeal. Details surrounding the decision were not made public. Typically, protests are granted when there is clear evidence of a runner obstructing another runner. Incidental contact is considered part of normal racing.

Athing Mu competes in the women's 800-meter final at the U.S. Olympic Team Track & Field Trials on June 24, 2024, in Eugene,