No 200/400 Doubling For Richards & Felix

[gh]

IAAF has said no to a USATF request for schedule change.

LA Times article on front page now.

[lewismyhero]

No surprise there. It would have been great to both of them go at it both 200 and 400 meters, but this isn't like 1996 where you just had Michaal Johnson who had won the world champs at both 200 and 400 meters. Sanya only finished 5 in the 200 final and Allyson will need to run a low 49 or 48 for the IAAF to even consider changing the schedule. Still, it does suck. "Look, i'm the IAAF, we are always saying the sport is no longer as popular since the two top 100 meter GUYS aren't racing each other. Wait? I good woman's showdown at both 200 and 400? It could actually help the sport? Nah." i felt like being immature

[tandfman]

Given Richards's medical issues, would she attempt the double even if she could? Maybe not.

[gh]

Interesting that it was Wariner about whom the change-the-schedule talk began a couple of years back, but his relative lack of success at the shorter distance (in an Olympic-contender frame of reference) obviously put paid to that idea.

[jazzcyclist]

Given Richards's medical issues, would she attempt the double even if she could? Maybe not.

That's what I was thinking. The Richards camp is probably relieved.

[guru]

Makes Felix's decision for her. 100/200 it is. She'll have 2012 for 200/400. Good news for the Mary Wineberg types, that's for sure.

[tandfman]

Makes Felix's decision for her. 100/200 it is. She'll have 2012 for 200/400.

She'll presumably have 2009 before that (and 2011).

[guru]

Makes Felix's decision for her. 100/200 it is. She'll have 2012 for 200/400.

She'll presumably have 2009 before that (and 2011).

yes of course. I was speaking of Olympics.

[guru]

Without looking at the schedule, and I'm a bit busy right now to look it up, is 100/400 doable for Richards?

[tandfman]

is 100/400 doable for Richards?

No. There's significant overlap--she'd have to run 5 races in 2 days, with the 400 semi less than an hour and a half before the 100 final.

[Guest]

No 200/400 Doubling For Richards & Felix

Well, the IAAF didn't say they couldn't double :twisted:

[tlb747]

It is almost funny reading about all the "double" talk about the two athletes when the Olympic Trials has not even started. If they both decide to double, it can either help or hurt the sport because stuff happens. Injuries, not advancing through the rounds, and other negative things can occur, not that I would wish it on anyone. This could end up being "hyped up" like it did for a couple of gentlemen over 15 years ago.

[Andrea_T]

This is a real shame. The IAAF should always try and ensure that multiple medal attempts are as do-able as possible. Of course you can't please everyone, but the 100/200 has always been a given, so why not the 200/400? This isn't just about Felix and Richards either, I can imagine other women may want to have this opportunity (Tirlea, a number of Russians etc)

[Flumpy]

I can imagine other women may want to have this opportunity (Tirlea, a number of Russians etc)

I don't think Ionela should be encouraged to enter any more events, do you? :shock:

[gh]

Oh, I don't know... what about that long-awaited Tîrlea/Wariner match race in the 800? :-)