By Vijay, TrackAlerts.Com Writer
Olympic Games champion Allyson Felix will skip her pet event, the 200m, to run the 400m at next month’s IAAF World Championships in Beijing, China.
Felix, who won the 200m at the 2012 London Olympic Games, qualified for both the 200m and 400m for Worlds but had said repeatedly she would choose one because the 200m semifinals and 400m final are about one hour apart on August 27.
Felix won the 200m three times at the World Championships, in 2005 Helsinki, 2007 Osaka and 2009 Berlin.
“Getting some 400 work in to get ready for worlds – excited to step it up and challenge myself next month,” Felix said today via social media, disclosing her choice of event.
Felix’s coach Bob Kersee confirmed the decision to run the 400m.
"We wanted to do both (200m and 400m) but the schedule will not allow it, so it's the 400," Kersee told Reuters.
Felix attempted the double in 2011, but finished 2nd in the 400m and 3rd in the 200m, won then by Veronica Campbell-Brown.
She pulled up in the 2013 Moscow 200m final, won by Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce.
Felix will not have world leader Francena McCorory and Sanya Richards-Ross, both who are fastest than her this season, to contend with in Beijing.
Bahamian Shaunae Miller is the second fastest this year with 49.92.
Felix is yet to break 50 seconds this year.
