Felix and Tarmoh together again at US trials

EUGENE, Oregon (AFP) –

Jeneba Tarmoh (L) and Allyson Felix, pictured June 23, were deadlocked again on Friday at the US Track and Field Championships, advancing to the 200-meter women’s final in the same time, 22.30 seconds.

Allyson Felix and Jeneba Tarmoh were deadlocked again on Friday at the US Track and Field Championships, advancing to the 200-meter women’s final in the same time, 22.30 seconds.

Six days after Felix and Tarmoh finished in a still-unsettled dead heat for third place, and the final London Olympic berth, in the 100 meters, they ran identical times in different semi-final heats to reach Saturday’s 200 final.

“Feeling good,” Felix said as she was escorted past reporters by coach Bob Kersee, the 2004 and 2008 Olympic runner-up keeping her silence about the 100m controversy that will not be settled until after Saturday’s 200 final.

Tarmoh also said nothing as Kersee walked with her past journalists while world 100m champion Carmelita Jeter said only “good” about her run and Tianna Madison, also London-bound in the 100, said nothing.

Sanya Richards-Ross, who ran this year’s second-best world time of 22.15 to lead eight 200m finalists, was left to build the excitement for a 200m showdown featuring this year’s five fastest 200m performers and seven of the top 10.

“My body felt good,” Richards-Ross said. “I wanted to win so I got a good lane for the final. I’m happy I did that. I was really pleased to see that time. I hope I run faster tomorrow.”

Richards-Ross, seeking a 200-400 double at London, expects a battle with Felix, Tarmoh, Jeter and Madison among others.

“This is going to be the hardest sprint spot to make,” she said. “You can run a great race tomorrow and come anywhere from first to sixth. It will take 22 flat, maybe even 21 to win it.”

Felix was given a slightly better 200 time than Tarmoh, 22.297 to 22.298, just as their times were taken out to the thousandth of a second last Saturday after the 100 final, each being clocked at 11.068 after a photo-finish review.

With no tie-breaker method in place, officials assembled a plan that allowed one person to decline the berth then either a coin flip or run-off if those involved agreed. If they did not, a run off would be staged.

USA Track and Field wants the matter settled by Sunday’s concluding day of the meet and will meet with Felix, Tarmoh and Kersee after Saturday’s women’s 200 final to determine exactly how and when the matter will be settled.