In 2021, Athing Mu rose to fame after winning the 800 meters and 4x400-meter relay at the Tokyo Olympics. Since then, the 21-year-old has solidified herself as the preeminent 800-meter runner in United States, taking gold at the 2022 World Championships and setting an American record of 1:54.97 last September.
But while many track and field athletes partner with fitness-specific brands (like shoe, nutrition, or watch companies), Mu has taken a slightly different approach.
Mu, who turns 22 on June 8, is sponsored by Nike, but she’s made an effort to associate herself with non-athletic brands as well, like Coca-Cola and Neiman Marcus, and even walked at New York Fashion Week in 2022.
On Tuesday, she announced a new partnership with the skincare company Olay.
Mu said she was excited when the brand, which has worked with celebrities like Keke Palmer and Quinta Brunson in recent years, approached her about becoming an ambassador for their new cleansing melts.
“[Olay is] all about authentic women,” Mu told Runner’s World. “I think one thing that I do within track and field that I want to emphasize—not just to women but also men and the sport in general—is for all of us to go outside of the box and outside of our events and bring out our personality and character.”
The partnership supports Mu’s long-term goals. She’s expressed interest in modeling in the future and said that moving to Los Angeles last year has been helpful in getting herself outside of the track and field bubble.
“I’ve been interested in fashion and also beauty, so being able to do something like partner with Olay has been really fun to discover myself,” she said.
“My dreams and desires have not solely been on track and field because I’ve never only identified with track and field,” Mu continued. “I’ve always wanted to do other things and see what else I could extend myself to.”
Mu has yet to race in 2024. She was scheduled to contest the 800 meters at the Prefontaine Classic on May 25 but pulled out due to soreness in her left hamstring, which also kept her out of the LA Grand Prix and Oxy Invitational earlier in the month.
Mu’s next race will likely be at the Olympic Track Trials. If she finishes in the top three in her event, she will qualify for the Paris Olympic Games in August.
The first round of the women’s 800 at the Trials is scheduled for June 21.
Theo Kahler is the news editor for Runner’s World. He is a former all-conference collegiate runner who’s based in Easton, PA. Previously, he worked as the newsletters editor at Runner's World, Bicycling, and Popular Mechanics.
