Rio Schedule Changed, Allows Allyson Felix to Double
Rio Schedule Changed, Allows Allyson Felix to Double
A track and field schedule change was announced by the IAAF seven months out from the 2016 Rio Olympics. The change included moving the first round of the 2
A track and field schedule change was announced by the IAAF seven months out from the 2016 Rio Olympics. The change included moving the first round of the 200m from an evening session to a morning session, which would allow Allyson Felix to compete in both the 200m and 400m.
The news was announced Saturday on IAAF.org, where the international governing body expressed that the goal was to “make it more feasible for women to compete in both the 200m and the 400m at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.”
The idea of a schedule change was brought up in Dec. 2015 when Felix and her coach Bobby Kersee announced they were training for the double. USATF then filed a formal petition for the IAAF to change the schedule to allow the four-time Olympic Champion to complete the 200m-400m double. Prior to the change, the schedule had the first round of the 200m just 75 minutes before the 400m final.
If she chooses to compete in both, Felix will have a chance to defend her Olympic 200m title and run for Olympic gold in the 400m after winning the World Championships in the distance last August.
“We would like to thank the IOC, IAAF and USATF for their successful efforts to change the Olympic schedule to allow for a women’s 200-400 double,” Kersee said in a statement. “Being able to pursue the double has been a goal of Allyson’s since she entered the sport. Without the advocacy of USATF and the willingness of the IAAF to entertain the possibility, this could not have happened.”
The news was announced Saturday on IAAF.org, where the international governing body expressed that the goal was to “make it more feasible for women to compete in both the 200m and the 400m at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.”
The idea of a schedule change was brought up in Dec. 2015 when Felix and her coach Bobby Kersee announced they were training for the double. USATF then filed a formal petition for the IAAF to change the schedule to allow the four-time Olympic Champion to complete the 200m-400m double. Prior to the change, the schedule had the first round of the 200m just 75 minutes before the 400m final.
If she chooses to compete in both, Felix will have a chance to defend her Olympic 200m title and run for Olympic gold in the 400m after winning the World Championships in the distance last August.
“We would like to thank the IOC, IAAF and USATF for their successful efforts to change the Olympic schedule to allow for a women’s 200-400 double,” Kersee said in a statement. “Being able to pursue the double has been a goal of Allyson’s since she entered the sport. Without the advocacy of USATF and the willingness of the IAAF to entertain the possibility, this could not have happened.”
.@Max_Siegel: #USATF is extremely pleased the IAAF & IOC have changed the #Rio2016 timetable to allow for a 200-400 double in womens(cont)
— USATF (@usatf) January 16, 2016