EUGENE, Ore. – After finishing fourth and being shut out of the women’s 200 metres team, Allyson Felix admits that she is disappointed about not being able to defend her Olympic title in Rio, next month.
Felix, who won gold at London 2012, came into the U.S. Trials hoping to secure places in both the 200m and 400m squads.
The World Championships 400m gold medallist easily punched her ticket to the Olympics in the one lap event, but found her rivals a little too tough to handle in the half-lap event – crossing the line fourth – after being pipped at the end by Jenna Prandini by 0.01 seconds.
Felix, who was being bothered by a toe injury throughout the trials, revealed that her preparations all year were geared towards doing the 200m/400m double at the Rio Olympics, which is why “I’m disappointed” about missing out.
“Honestly, I’m disappointed,” the 30-year-old who ran 22.54 seconds for fourth place said. “All year I planned for this race, and for it to end here, it’s disappointing.
She added: “But when I look back and see everything that happened, I still think it’s quite amazing that I was able to make this team. I feel like everything was against me.”
“I don’t think I need races at this point. I think I need some work, some rest and recovery, and to take the time that we have just to get back and try to perfect the 400m.”
Felix, who ran a world-leading 49.68 seconds to win the women’s title earlier at the meet, admits that she just didn’t have the leg speed to match the likes of Tori Bowie and Deajah Stevens who blasted away from her.
She finished strongly to close on third place finisher Prandini (22.53), but ran out of real estate.
After giving it her all on Sunday, the three-time world 200m gold medallist waited anxiously to see if she had won a fourth Olympic 200m spot.
“I wasn’t sure,” Felix said. “I just knew I gave all I had and leaned at the line.”
The three-time Olympic 200m medallist added: “I mean, the speed just wasn’t there today. When I give all I have and I run 22.50, the speed just wasn’t there.”
