Although more renowned for her accolades in the shorter distance, it came as no surprise when Allyson Felix finally announced her intention to run in both the 200m and the 400m.
Felix has been flirting with the longer distance from as early as 2007, when she set a personal best of 49.70 at the DN Galan in Stockholm. Since then she has gone on to become a regular feature on the US women's 4x400m relay teams, helping them mine gold at the Beijing Olympics, Osaka and Berlin world championships. Felix who up until last week held the world lead in the 400m has a season's best of 49.81
As triple world champion her prowess in the 200m is legendary. There is no question in anyone's mind about the brilliance of such a gifted and talented athlete, however track pundits are understandably concerned she may have bitten off a little more than she can chew. Felix does not have a clear edge in the 400m. She is currently ranked third in the Diamond League standings and Botswana's Amantle Montsho 49.71 and Russia's Anastasiya Kapachinskya 49.39 have both clocked faster times this season.
The 400m is up first on the schedule in Daegu, this means by the time Felix lines up for the 200m, her legs having been through three vigorous rounds of the the quarter mile, could very well be tired. Also this event no longer appears to be a two way battle between herself and long-time rival Veronica Campbell Brown. There's now Carmelita Jeter and U.S champion Shalonda Solomon to consider. Both have been rather impressive in the half lap.
Is her quest for double gold possible? By all means YES but is it wise? In 1996 frenchwoman Marie Jose Perec successfully completed the 200/400 double at the Atlanta Olympics. Should Felix win both events in Daegu she would become the first woman to do so at the world championships. However, with competition so fierce in these events there is the worry she is spreading herself too thin and could end up without a gold.
You may or may not like Felix's risky attempt at the 200/400 double, but you have to admit it is sort of admirable for her take on such a feat. For her part she acknowledges the challenge she faces in chasing this dream. In her own words "Will be very difficult but the first step to accomplishing greatness is trying".
And we couldn't agree more, besides how many opportunities does one get to make history.
As triple world champion her prowess in the 200m is legendary. There is no question in anyone's mind about the brilliance of such a gifted and talented athlete, however track pundits are understandably concerned she may have bitten off a little more than she can chew. Felix does not have a clear edge in the 400m. She is currently ranked third in the Diamond League standings and Botswana's Amantle Montsho 49.71 and Russia's Anastasiya Kapachinskya 49.39 have both clocked faster times this season.
The 400m is up first on the schedule in Daegu, this means by the time Felix lines up for the 200m, her legs having been through three vigorous rounds of the the quarter mile, could very well be tired. Also this event no longer appears to be a two way battle between herself and long-time rival Veronica Campbell Brown. There's now Carmelita Jeter and U.S champion Shalonda Solomon to consider. Both have been rather impressive in the half lap.
Is her quest for double gold possible? By all means YES but is it wise? In 1996 frenchwoman Marie Jose Perec successfully completed the 200/400 double at the Atlanta Olympics. Should Felix win both events in Daegu she would become the first woman to do so at the world championships. However, with competition so fierce in these events there is the worry she is spreading herself too thin and could end up without a gold.
You may or may not like Felix's risky attempt at the 200/400 double, but you have to admit it is sort of admirable for her take on such a feat. For her part she acknowledges the challenge she faces in chasing this dream. In her own words "Will be very difficult but the first step to accomplishing greatness is trying".
And we couldn't agree more, besides how many opportunities does one get to make history.
