US Olympic Track Trials: All Eyes on Allyson Felix, Jeneba Tarmoh 200M Showdown

Allyson Felix and Jeneba Tarmoh are running on the same schedule. Even when they aren't competing in the same heat, the two female sprinters manage to mimic each other's performance. Five days after their unthinkable tie in the 100-meter final, these two women ran the same time in their 200-meter qualifying heat.

On Day 3 (June 23) of the US Olympic track trials, Tarmoh and Felix finished third and fourth in the women's 100. Tarmoh ran 11.068 seconds, and Felix ran a hair behind at 11.069.

That's what we were told originally.

Instead, an unprecedented Olympic controversy has ensued. Evidence showed that each woman ran at 11.07. That means the USA Track and Field must find a resolution because only three American women can qualify for the 100 in London. We could see a "run off", or a coin flip, but either way we are looking at the most unconventional situation in recent Olympic trial history.

In case that incident wasn't bizarre enough, each athlete finished with the second-highest time in the 200 semifinal Friday night. Tarmoh ran in the first heat. Felix ran in the third, but each woman ran 22.30. 

The bizarre coincidences between these two training partners creates a must-watch situation in tonight's 200 final. At this point, who could be surprised if they tied again? Maybe they've been training together too much, but we shouldn't mind. 

Olympic fans should anticipate drama once the actual games start. Any added drama in the Olympic trials is gravy, and it isn't going to get more dramatic than this. 

Despite their similar runs recently, these two athletes are at very different stages of their careers. Tarmoh is an accomplished junior runner (she took third in 200 at 2011 USA Championships). She also ran very well for Texas A&M despite forgoing her senior season to turn professional. However, she doesn't have Felix's professional resume.

Felix has won eight career World Championship gold medals, and she's earned two Olympic silver medals in the 200. She's the only woman to ever win three Athletic World Championship gold medals in the 200. 

Undoubtedly, Felix is one of the world's premier runners in the 200. Tarmoh doesn't have her experience, and her all-time personal best is nearly a half-second slower than Felix's (22.28 compared to 21.81), but she's proven herself head-to-head thus far.

These two talented female athletes have already provided trial spectators with unforeseen controversy. Saturday night's 200 final could provide more fireworks. 

The event is slated to start at 9:50 p.m. EST. If recent history tells us anything, I'd advise everyone to tune your television to NBC Sports Network, or check out the live stream on nbcolympics.com.

Felix and Tarmoh haven't disappointed, and I don't see a letdown coming tonight.