NJ Olympians Athing Mu, Sydney McLaughlin honored Saturday

Two New Jersey Olympians will be honored for their summer game achievements during the upcoming weekend.

The city of Trenton will host a parade to honor Athing Mu on Sunday starting at Trenton Central High School and ending at City Hall, Mayor Reed Gusciora told New Jersey 101.5. The first planning meeting was held Monday.

Mu, a Trenton Central graduate, was the first American woman since 1968 to win the gold in the 800 meter at the Tokyo Summer Olympics. Before the games started Gusciora unveiled a banner of Mu on Trenton City Hall.

"We've been working extensively with Athing's family and several community, school, county, and state representatives to plan a welcome home that is worthy of an Olympic champion," Gusciora said. "Her dominant performance in Tokyo will undoubtedly be an inspiration to Trenton's youth for years to come. After rooting for her throughout the Olympics, we're grateful to have the chance to come together as a community and celebrate her achievements in person."

The parade assembly will begin at 1:00 p.m. at Trenton Central High School on 400 Chambers Street. Starting at 2:00 p.m., the procession will make its way along the following streets before ending at Trenton City Hall:

• Lineup will start on Chambers Street at the Corner of Hamilton Avenue
• Right turn onto Hamilton Avenue
• Right turn onto Clinton Avenue
• Left turn onto E. State Street
• End at City Hall front steps at 319 E. State Street

Mu also helped Team USA win another gold medal in the 4x400-meter relay with 21-year-old Sydney McLaughlin of Dunellen.

The borough will honor McLaughlin Saturday morning at Columbia Park with the renaming of the running track where she practiced at growing up in her honor.

"This is the track she used growing up as a kid and her father coached the kids in the youth programs. They're a very athletic family," Mayor Jason F. Cilento told New Jersey 101.5.

Cilento is hopeful "Dunellen's spirit" will move most residents to turn out for he 9:30 a.m. ceremony. U.S. Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman has said she'll be there. Her former coach Mike McCabe and principal Sister Percylee Hart from Union Catholic will also attend.

"We'll just honor her for her great contribution to the United States through winning two gold medals at the Olympics," Cilento said.

McLaughlin also won gold in the 400 meter hurdles.

Contact reporter Dan Alexander at Dan.Alexander@townsquaremedia.com or via Twitter @DanAlexanderNJ