Allyson Felix: Dominant 200 in US Olympic Trials Will Lead to Breakthrough Gold
Allyson Felix didn't need a photo in the finish of this U.S. Olympic Trials event. She crushed the competition in the 200-meter dash.
She posted a blistering time of 21.69 seconds to cruise in easily ahead of second-place Carmelita Jeter and her time of 22.11. Sanya Richards-Ross was third at 22.22.
As for Jeneba Tarmoh, who Felix famously tied for third with in the 100 meters, she came in fifth. But this result is not about ties, or even who came in second or third. This race was about Felix showing the world she is ready to take the 200 Olympic gold that has eluded her in her previous two attempts.
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In both the 2004 and 2008 Olympics, Felix, now 26, was runner-up to Jamaica's Veronica Campbell-Brown. She did so surprisingly as a young upstart in 2004 and disappointingly as the favorite in 2008.
This time it's different. She is not going to be a bridesmaid.
Felix will likely be facing Campbell-Brown when competitors hit the blocks for the 200 finals, but it's not going to matter who else is out there.
Felix is running better than ever. Her time of 21.69 is a new personal record, and that came on a rain-soaked track. It is also better than the 21.74 that Campbell-Brown posted, which was a personal best for her, to beat her in the Beijing games.
It should not be a huge shock that Felix turned in a personal best. She has geared everything towards dominating this event in London. The 200 has always been her best event, but she has also competed very well in the 400 meters.
She did not run the 400 in these trials, and instead decided to do the 100 because it would help her dial in her training for the 200. According to the Associated Press (h/t ESPN.com), she also adjusted her training, which included things like four-mile road runs.
On Saturday, Felix showed the world what this focus and determination could do for her in this event, and when the 200 rolls around in London, she is going to show us all that she is the unquestioned queen of this event.
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