Athing Mu-Nikolayev
Athing Mu-Nikolayev (born June 8, 2002) is an American middle-distance runner specializing in the 800 meters.[1] She is a two-time Olympic gold medalist, having won the women's 800 m at the 2020 Tokyo Games (held in 2021) and contributed to the 4×400 m relay victory there, becoming the youngest U.S. woman to claim individual Olympic track and field gold since 1964.[2][3] Mu-Nikolayev also holds the American record in the 800 m with a time of 1:54.97, set at the 2023 Prefontaine Classic.[4] Born in Trenton, New Jersey, to parents who immigrated from South Sudan, Mu-Nikolayev grew up as the second youngest of seven siblings in a family of Dinka descent.[5] She began competing in track and field as a youth, bypassing traditional high school seasons to train intensively, and attended Texas A&M University, where she broke the NCAA 400 m record with 49.57 seconds in 2021.[3] Her rapid rise included world under-20 bests in the indoor 600 m and 800 m, establishing her as a prodigy in middle-distance events.[6] Mu-Nikolayev's professional career peaked with a gold medal in the 800 m at the 2022 World Championships in Eugene, Oregon, followed by a bronze in the same event at the 2023 Worlds in Budapest, making her the youngest athlete to secure both Olympic and World titles in an individual event.[2][7] However, setbacks came in 2024 when she tripped during the U.S. Olympic Trials, failing to qualify for the Paris Games, and in August 2025, she placed fourth in the 800 m semifinals at the USATF Outdoor Championships, missing selection for the World Championships in Tokyo.[8] Despite these challenges, she returned to competition in 2025 by running the first 3000 meters of the 5000 m at the Mt. SAC Relays in April and expressed focus on rediscovering joy in racing ahead of future meets.[9] In March 2025, she married Russian former middle-distance runner Yegor Nikolayev, adopting her hyphenated surname.[10]Early life
Childhood and family
Athing Mu-Nikolayev was born on June 8, 2002, in Trenton, New Jersey, to South Sudanese parents Deng Mu and Aluel Lual. Her family is of Dinka ethnic descent, with her parents having fled the Second Sudanese Civil War that ravaged their homeland from 1983 to 2005. In 2000, two years before her birth, Deng and Aluel immigrated to the United States seeking safety and better opportunities amid the conflict's violence and instability.[11][12] As the second youngest of seven siblings, Mu-Nikolayev grew up in a large, supportive household in Trenton that prioritized education, discipline, and athletic pursuits as pathways to success. Her parents instilled values of perseverance and community, drawing from their own experiences of displacement, while encouraging all children to engage in sports to build resilience and teamwork. The family's emphasis on physical activity created a dynamic environment where athletics were a shared passion, fostering sibling bonds through competitive play and mutual motivation.[2][13] Mu-Nikolayev's early exposure to running came through family encouragement and local opportunities, as she joined the Trenton Track Club at age six, following in the footsteps of her sporty siblings, including older brother Malual who also competed in track. This initial involvement in school activities and club training laid the foundation for her interest in the sport, blending familial support with her natural talent.[14]Education and junior career
Mu attended Trenton Central High School in Trenton, New Jersey, graduating in 2020 as an honors student. Although enrolled at the school, she opted not to join its track and field team, choosing instead to continue her development with the Trenton Track Club. Her family strongly supported this focus on club training, which allowed her to prioritize her athletic growth alongside her academics. Mu's involvement in track began early, as she joined the Trenton Track Club at age six under coaches Al Jennings and Bernice Mitchell. By middle school, she was competing in regional meets, and as a high school freshman in 2017, she began gaining national attention through club competitions. Jennings, who had coached her since childhood, emphasized a balanced approach that built her endurance and speed in middle-distance events like the 400m and 800m. Throughout her high school career, Mu amassed a series of standout junior achievements, establishing her as one of the top young talents in American track and field. In 2018, as a sophomore, she captured the girls' 800m title at the New Balance Nationals Outdoor with a time of 2:04.51, defeating a strong field in a meet record performance. The following year, in 2019, she broke the American high school indoor record in the 600m, running 1:23.57 at the USATF Indoor Championships—a mark that still stands as the national senior record for women. She also secured multiple victories at the AAU Junior Olympic Games, winning titles in the 400m, 800m, and distance medley relay across age groups from 2017 to 2019, often setting age-group records in the process. Mu made her international junior debut at the 2019 Pan American U20 Championships in San José, Costa Rica, where she earned gold in the 800m with a time of 2:05.50, contributing to the United States' dominance in the event. These accomplishments highlighted her tactical maturity and closing speed, positioning her as a rising star ahead of her senior career. Following her high school graduation in 2020, Mu, ranked as the No. 1 track recruit in the nation, committed to Texas A&M University rather than turning professional immediately. This decision allowed her to continue competing at an elite level while pursuing higher education, marking the transition from her junior career to collegiate athletics.Personal life
Family background
Athing Mu-Nikolayev maintains close relationships with her parents, Deng Mu and Aluel Lual, who immigrated from South Sudan to the United States in 2000 seeking better opportunities amid conflict in their homeland.[15][11] Her father works as a seafood processor in the Pacific Northwest, while her mother is employed in a warehouse, roles that reflect the family's blue-collar resilience in providing stability for their large household.[16][17] These ongoing ties form a core support system, with her parents offering emotional encouragement throughout her athletic pursuits, including attending major events like the 2021 Tokyo Olympics where they celebrated her gold medal victory alongside relatives in Trenton, New Jersey.[18][19] As the second youngest of seven siblings—four brothers named Moa, Deng, Malual, and Tarig, and two sisters named Aluel and Aut—Mu-Nikolayev credits her family for instilling a competitive spirit and passion for running that extends into her adult life.[17][20][2] Her older brother Malual, a track athlete at Penn State University, introduced her to the sport through the Trenton Track Club, and the siblings continue to motivate one another, with their shared experiences fostering a tight-knit dynamic that bolsters her mental resilience during professional challenges.[21][22] This familial network has been instrumental post-high school, as siblings and parents provide consistent attendance and vocal support at competitions, reinforcing her drive amid the demands of elite athletics.[23][24] Mu-Nikolayev's South Sudanese heritage profoundly shapes her identity, emphasizing values of communal strength and perseverance drawn from her parents' roots, which manifest in the family's multigenerational closeness and emphasis on collective success.[7][25] While specific cultural practices like Dinka-influenced gatherings are not publicly detailed, her upbringing in a large household mirrors traditional South Sudanese priorities of extended family bonds and mutual support, helping her navigate cultural duality as an American athlete of immigrant descent.[26][13] The family's relocation within the U.S., initially to New Jersey after immigration and later involving her father's work in the Pacific Northwest, has influenced their stability by introducing geographic separations but strengthening emotional ties through frequent communication and reunions.[11][21] These moves, driven by economic needs, occasionally strained finances but ultimately reinforced the family's adaptability, with Mu-Nikolayev often citing their sacrifices as a key influence on her determination and gratitude for her opportunities in track and field.[16][27]Marriage and name change
In September 2024, Athing Mu announced her engagement to Yegor Nikolayev, a Russian middle-distance runner and her long-term partner, via an Instagram post expressing gratitude for the milestone amid personal challenges.[28][3] Mu and Nikolayev were married in a private ceremony in March 2025, keeping the event low-key and away from public scrutiny.[29][30] The wedding marked a significant personal transition, after which Mu adopted the hyphenated surname Mu-Nikolayev to honor both family heritages.[3][6] The name change has become integral to her public identity in athletics, with Mu-Nikolayev now using it in official competitions and media appearances.[29] She has described the marriage as a source of strength, stating, "It’s been incredible... I’m super so blessed to be able to experience marriage," and noting its role in providing emotional support during her athletic pursuits.[29] Mu-Nikolayev emphasized balancing her personal and professional lives by highlighting her husband's understanding of the demands of elite running, which helps her navigate highs and lows together.[29][31]Professional career
2021
In June 2021, at the age of 19, Athing Mu secured her qualification for the Tokyo Olympics by winning the women's 800m at the U.S. Olympic Trials in Eugene, Oregon, with a time of 1:56.07, which set a new meet record and was the second-fastest time ever by an American woman at the distance.[32] At the Tokyo Olympics in August 2021, Mu claimed gold in the women's 800m final, finishing in 1:55.21 to break the American record previously held by Ajee Wilson and becoming the first U.S. woman to win Olympic gold in the event since Madeline Manning in 1968.[33][34] Later in the Games, she earned a second gold medal as the anchor leg of the U.S. women's 4x400m relay team, which won in 3:18.87 despite a strong challenge from Poland.[35] Following her Olympic triumphs, Mu made her Diamond League debut at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene on August 21, 2021, where she won the women's 800m in a personal best of 1:55.04, further lowering her American record and finishing well ahead of the field.[36] She did not compete in additional international meets that season, focusing instead on recovery. Building on her junior world records that had propelled her to professional status earlier in the year, Mu adjusted her training under coach Bobby Kersee to emphasize tactical racing and endurance for senior competition, which contributed to her dominant Olympic performances.[37] Her successes drew significant media attention, positioning her as a rising star in American track and field and the youngest Olympic champion in the women's 800m for the U.S. since 1968.[38][39]2022
Following her Olympic triumph in 2021, Athing Mu entered the 2022 season with high expectations, aiming to extend her dominance in the 800m while testing her limits in longer distances. Her indoor campaign began with an ambitious entry in the Wanamaker Mile at the Millrose Games on January 28 in New York, where she took the lead early but faded in the final 200m, resulting in a DNF after running approximately 1,400m. This setback highlighted the challenges of transitioning to the mile distance, but Mu quickly refocused on the 800m for the outdoor season.[40] Mu made a commanding return at the Golden Gala Pietro Mennea in Rome on June 9, her first 800m of the outdoor season and Diamond League debut, winning in a world-leading time of 1:57.01 to defeat a strong field including world silver medalist Keely Hodgkinson. This performance not only reaffirmed her status as the event's top athlete but also set the tone for an undefeated streak in the distance that season. She followed with a victory at the US Outdoor Championships in Eugene on June 26, clocking 1:57.16 to secure selection for the World Championships while extending her professional win streak to 22 races.[41][42] The pinnacle of Mu's 2022 came at the World Athletics Championships in Eugene from July 15-24, where she captured gold in the women's 800m final on July 23 with a world-leading 1:56.30, edging out Hodgkinson by 0.08 seconds in a tactical battle. This victory marked the first time an American woman had won the world title at 800m, solidifying Mu's legacy as a trailblazer in the event. She also anchored the US team to gold in the women's 4x400m relay, running a 49.57 split in the final. Throughout the season, her times represented a progression toward her American record of 1:55.21 from 2021, with efforts in Rome and Eugene showcasing improved speed endurance, though she did not eclipse it that year.[43][44] Post-World Championships, Mu entered a structured training phase under coach Bobby Kersee at the University of California, Los Angeles, emphasizing recovery and strength building to sustain her momentum into 2023. She navigated minor hamstring tightness during fall camps—common for athletes ramping up volume—but overcame it without missing sessions, focusing on aerobic development and tactical drills to prepare for defending her title at the upcoming World Championships in Budapest. This period of unbroken success, with four 800m wins and no losses, positioned her as the clear favorite for the next cycle while underscoring her commitment to chasing the world record.[4]2023
In 2023, Athing Mu adopted an unconventional racing schedule, prioritizing recovery and preparation for the Paris Olympics over a full competitive calendar. After an 11-month hiatus from outdoor competition, she returned at the USATF New York City Grand Prix in June, decisively winning the 800 meters in 1:57.42 to signal her form ahead of major events.[45] At the USATF Outdoor Championships in July, she opted for the 1500 meters rather than defending her 800m title, clocking 4:08.91 in the final to place fifth, though this did not secure qualification for the distance at the World Championships.[46] Mu ultimately focused on the 800 meters for the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, entering without a recent race at the distance due to her light schedule. In the semifinals on August 25, she encountered a significant challenge when clipped from behind on the final lap, causing her to stumble and nearly fall, but she displayed remarkable composure to recover and finish second in 1:57.80, advancing to the final.[47] Two days later, in the final, she took the lead early but faded in the closing stages, earning bronze with a season-best 1:56.98 behind Kenya's Mary Moraa and Great Britain's Keely Hodgkinson. This marked her first individual podium finish outside of gold since her Tokyo Olympic triumph, though it ended a long unbeaten streak in outdoor 800m races. Reflecting on the result, Mu shared that the year had been mentally taxing, stating, "I was going through a lot," and emphasized the personal growth amid the pressure of defending her titles.[48][49] Following Budapest, Mu closed her season strongly at the Prefontaine Classic on September 17, where she broke her own American record in the 800 meters with a time of 1:54.97, overtaking Hodgkinson in the final stretch for the victory. This performance not only established a new national benchmark but also demonstrated her resilience after the Worlds setback, surpassing her previous mark of 1:55.21 from the 2021 Olympic final.[50] Due to the deliberate pacing of her year and minor niggles from training, she competed in only four outdoor meets overall, forgoing additional late-season events to focus on physical therapy, mental health recovery, and building toward 2024. In interviews, she described the period as one of rediscovering joy in the sport, underscoring a shift toward sustainable training after three intense years of global success.[51][4]2024
Mu entered 2024 grappling with ongoing recovery from a hamstring injury that had sidelined her since September 2023, limiting her training. Her early outdoor season was sparse, with no competitions until the U.S. Olympic Trials in Eugene, Oregon, marking her first race in nine months.[52][53][54] At the Trials, held in June, Mu showed promise by winning her 800m semifinal heat on June 23 in 1:58.84 to advance to the final. However, disaster struck in the final on June 24 when she tripped and fell approximately 200 meters into the race after getting tangled with other runners, ultimately finishing last in 2:00.44 and failing to qualify for the individual 800m at the Paris Olympics. Her subsequent appeal to USA Track & Field was denied, ending her hopes of defending her Olympic title.[55][56][57] Despite her individual setback, Mu was considered for the U.S. relay teams, given her anchor role in the gold-medal-winning 4x400m relay at the Tokyo Olympics, but she was ultimately not selected for the Paris relay pool announced in July.[58][59] Mu made a brief return to racing on July 20 at the Holloway Pro Classic in Atlanta, where she placed fifth in the 800m with a time of 2:00.29, signaling a cautious step back amid ongoing recovery. Following the Olympic Games, she opted for an extended break from competition to focus on healing and personal matters. In September, she announced her engagement on Instagram, sharing photos from the proposal and describing it as a positive milestone after a challenging year.[60][28]2025
Following her marriage in March 2025, Athing Mu-Nikolayev returned to competition with a partial 5,000 meters at the Mt. SAC Relays on April 19, attempting the longer distance as an experiment to build endurance after injury recovery.[9] This low-key outing, which she did not finish, served as a cautious step back into racing while adjusting to her new personal life.[31] In July 2025, Mu-Nikolayev shifted focus to her signature event, competing in the 800 meters for the first time in nearly a year at the Prefontaine Classic, finishing 10th in 2:03.44.[61] She approached the race with an emphasis on rediscovering joy and rebuilding form, prioritizing enjoyment over pressure amid her ongoing recovery.[29] The name change to Mu-Nikolayev, reflecting her recent marriage, was incorporated into race announcements, prompting some media and fan discussions on her evolving identity as an athlete.[3] At the US Outdoor Championships in late July and early August 2025, Mu-Nikolayev advanced from her 800 meters heat but placed 10th in the semifinals, narrowly missing qualification for the final and a spot on the World Championships team.[62] This outcome highlighted the challenges of her comeback, though she expressed optimism about the experience aiding her long-term progress. By November 2025, with no further races scheduled that season, Mu-Nikolayev reflected on her year as a period of patience and self-directed growth, free from immediate championship demands and focused on sustained recovery for future competitions.[63]Achievements
Personal bests
Athing Mu-Nikolayev's personal bests reflect her specialization in middle-distance running, particularly the 800 meters, where she has set the American outdoor record and demonstrated consistent progression from her junior career onward. Her marks across events, including the 400 meters and 1,500 meters, underscore her versatility and speed endurance, with all performances verified through official results from World Athletics and USA Track & Field. No wind-aided marks affect her key bests, as these events are not subject to wind readings. She holds the American indoor record in the 600 meters and a world under-20 indoor record in the 800 meters, highlighting her early dominance.[1][42] The following table summarizes her all-time personal bests in major events:| Event | Mark | Date | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 400 m | 49.57 | 12 June 2021 | Eugene, OR (USA) | NCAA record; American U20 record |
| 600 m (o) | 1:22.74 | 30 April 2022 | Philadelphia, PA (USA) | 4th fastest all-time outdoor |
| 600 m (i) | 1:23.57 | 24 February 2019 | New York, NY (USA) | American indoor record |
| 800 m (o) | 1:54.97 | 17 September 2023 | Eugene, OR (USA) | American record |
| 800 m (i) | 1:58.40 | 27 February 2021 | Fayetteville, AR (USA) | World U20 record |
| 1,500 m | 4:03.44 | 9 July 2023 | Eugene, OR (USA) |
| Date | Mark | Meet/Event | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 February 2019 | 2:01.17i | USATF Indoor Championships | Boston, MA (USA) | Junior-level indoor PB |
| 26 June 2021 | 1:56.07 | U.S. Olympic Trials | Eugene, OR (USA) | Meet record; Olympic qualifier |
| 3 August 2021 | 1:55.21 | Olympic Games | Tokyo (JPN) | Olympic gold; former AR |
| 2 September 2021 | 1:55.04 | Athletissima | Lausanne (SUI) | Improved AR |
| 22 July 2022 | 1:56.30 | World Championships | Eugene, OR (USA) | World gold |
| 17 September 2023 | 1:54.97 | Prefontaine Classic | Eugene, OR (USA) | Current AR |
International competitions
Athing Mu-Nikolayev has represented the United States in key international track and field events, primarily excelling in the women's 800 meters and contributing to relay successes at the Olympic Games and World Championships.[1] Her performances in these competitions highlight her dominance in middle-distance running during her early professional career.[4] The following table summarizes her results in major international championships and finals, including placements, times, and specific details where applicable.| Year | Competition | Event | Location | Date | Placement | Result | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Pan American U20 Championships | 800 m | San José, Costa Rica | July 20 | 1st | 2:05.50 | Gold medal; first international senior-level victory.[69] |
| 2021 | Olympic Games | 800 m | Tokyo, Japan | August 3 | 1st | 1:55.21 | Gold medal; American record at the time.[70][71] |
| 2021 | Olympic Games | 4 × 400 m relay | Tokyo, Japan | August 7 | 1st | 3:16.85 | Gold medal; anchor leg split of 48.32 seconds.[1][72] |
| 2022 | World Athletics Championships | 800 m | Eugene, Oregon, USA | July 24 | 1st | 1:56.30 | Gold medal; first American woman to win the event at Worlds.[73] |
| 2023 | World Athletics Championships | 800 m | Budapest, Hungary | August 27 | 3rd | 1:56.61 | Bronze medal; season's best time.[74] |
| 2023 | Wanda Diamond League Final | 800 m | Eugene, Oregon, USA | September 17 | 1st | 1:54.97 | Victory; American record.[75][50] |
National championships
Athing Mu-Nikolayev established herself as a dominant force in U.S. middle-distance running early in her career, securing multiple titles at the national and junior levels. As a high school junior, she won the 800 m at the USATF U20 Outdoor Championships in 2019 with a time of 2:05.59, marking her first senior-level national victory.[20] Her high school achievements also included strong performances at New Balance Nationals, where she placed second in the girls' championship 400 m final in 2019 with 51.57, contributing to her reputation as a versatile sprinter-middle distance talent.[76] At the senior level, Mu-Nikolayev captured the women's 800 m title at the 2021 U.S. Olympic Trials (also serving as the USATF Outdoor Championships) in Eugene, Oregon, running 1:56.07 to set an American junior record and qualify for the Tokyo Olympics.[77] She repeated as champion in 2022 at the USATF Outdoor Championships in Eugene, winning in 1:57.16 after a close battle with Ajee' Wilson.[78] In 2023, she shifted focus to the 1500 m at the USATF Outdoor Championships, winning that event in 4:03.44 but not competing in the 800 m. Her 2024 Olympic Trials campaign ended abruptly when she tripped and fell early in the 800 m final, placing ninth in 2:19.69 despite recovering to finish the race.[77] At the 2025 USATF Outdoor Championships, she reached the 800 m semifinals but placed fourth in her heat with 1:59.79, narrowly missing advancement to the final.[79] Mu-Nikolayev's indoor national record includes one USATF Indoor Championships victory in the 800 m, contributing to her overall tally of two national outdoor titles and one indoor crown as noted by USA Track & Field.[42] These performances served as key qualifiers for international competitions, underscoring her role as a leading American contender in the event.| Year | Event | Place | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | USATF U20 Outdoor Championships (800 m) | 1st | 2:05.59 | High school junior national title |
| 2019 | New Balance Nationals Outdoor (Girls' 400 m) | 2nd | 51.57 | High school national meet |
| 2021 | USATF Indoor Championships (800 m) | 1st | 1:58.40 | World U20 record |
| 2021 | USATF Outdoor Championships / Olympic Trials (800 m) | 1st | 1:56.07 | American junior record |
| 2022 | USATF Outdoor Championships (800 m) | 1st | 1:57.16 | Defended outdoor title |
| 2023 | USATF Outdoor Championships (1500 m) | 1st | 4:03.44 | Focused on longer distance |
| 2024 | USATF Outdoor Championships / Olympic Trials (800 m) | 9th | 2:19.69 | Fell early in final |
| 2025 | USATF Outdoor Championships (800 m semifinal) | 4th (heat) | 1:59.79 | Did not advance to final |
Circuit wins
Athing Mu-Nikolayev established herself as a dominant force in the Wanda Diamond League, the premier global track circuit, where she won the 800 m overall title in both 2021 and 2022 through consistent high placements and standout performances. Her victories in the series underscored her tactical prowess and speed, contributing to her unbeaten streak in the event during those seasons. These circuit successes served as key preparation for major championships, allowing her to compete against top international fields on a regular basis. Mu's Diamond League 800 m wins included her debut victory at the 2021 Prefontaine Classic, where she set an American record of 1:55.04. The following year, she opened her Diamond League campaign with a world-leading time of 1:57.01 at the Golden Gala in Rome, solidifying her lead in the standings. In 2023, she capped the season by winning the Diamond League Final at the Prefontaine Classic in a new American record of 1:54.97, narrowly holding off challengers Keely Hodgkinson and Mary Moraa.| Date | Meet | Location | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| August 21, 2021 | Prefontaine Classic | Eugene, USA | 1:55.04 | American record; Diamond League debut win[80] |
| June 9, 2022 | Golden Gala | Rome, Italy | 1:57.01 | World-leading time; key to 2022 title[81] |
| September 17, 2023 | Prefontaine Classic (Final) | Eugene, USA | 1:54.97 | American record; Diamond League Final win[65] |