The Jamaica Star :: Sport :: Felix wary of Jamaican challenge at Olympics

GORDON WILLIAMS, Contributor

Allyson Felix (right) of the US celebrates her victory in the women's 200 metres final ahead of second-place finisher Veronica Campbell of Jamaica at last August's World Athletics Championships in Osaka, Japan. Felix says she expects Campbell to be a main rival at this year's Olympics. - file

philadelphia, pennsylvania:

If Jamaicans' hopes for 200 metres gold were shattered by Allyson Felix's superb run in the final of the 2007 World Championships, the American is warning that it will take an even faster race to win the event at the Olympics.

Felix ran a brilliant 21.81 seconds to relegate Veronica Campbell into second place in Osaka, Japan. And although the Jamaican is the defending Olympic champion in the event, but yet to break the 22-second mark, Felix is convinced that a similar time will not be good enough to grab gold this summer in Beijing, China.

"I think it's gonna have to be faster than that (of the World Championships) at the Olympics," she said last weekend.

"Yeah, definitely, I believe that. I mean, it's the Olympic Games and ... it's Veronica, (Jamaican) Sherone (Simpson) in the Olympics. So it's a special event and people are gonna step up."

Shifted gears

Felix's preparation already appears to have shifted gears. On Saturday she ran two blistering relay legs - 4x100 and 4x400 metres, both wins - for her country in the 'USA vs the World' events. She looked especially overpowering anchoring the USA Red team in the sprint relay, first reeling in Jamaican-born Sanya Richards, who was running for the USA Blue, down the straightaway before blowing by her with long, graceful strides.

Now, for the first time, Felix is eyeing the same Olympic double that Campbell (now Campbell-Brown) will be after. The American said she is working harder at her start and is looking forward to testing her form in the shorter event at the competitive US trials in late June.

"I'm really excited for the year and I've been working a lot on my start," she said. "I'm looking forward to going out there and running the 100s in trials and seeing how they go. That's definitely my priority right now."

Ironically, Felix said taking on the two sprints has increased her understanding and admiration for Campbell-Brown's workload.

"I've watched her throughout her career and I've always had appreciation for her and the hard work that it takes to do (the double)," she said.

Fatigue

Yet, the Jamaican cited fatigue after running the rounds for the 100 and 200 metres in Osaka. If Felix qualifies to run the 100 metres in Beijing, she will face an even heavier load than Campbell-Brown, including several rounds of the individual events, plus relay legs in the 4x100 and 4x400.

In the 200 metres, the two runners show contrasting styles, largely due to their physical make-up. The shorter, more compact Campbell-Brown is quicker around the turns. The rangy Felix, at 5' 6", 125 pounds, has excellent closing speed.

Yet, the American, who was beaten in the 200 metres final at the 2004 Olympics in Athens by Campbell-Brown, does not feel the Jamaican is at a significant disadvantage, despite the result in Osaka. She knows she will be her main threat in Beijing.

"I think she is always tough," Felix said. "I think even when she runs the 100 she's still extremely tough. The Olympics brings something special out of people and so I totally know she's gonna be there. I think we will push each other and I think it's gonna be an exciting race."

She's phenomenal

As for the 200, Felix thinks Campbell-Brown has that down pat too.

"She's phenomenal," the American said. "She has all aspects of the race so I know she will be there (at the finish)."

But others are in the mix. Felix expects serious challenges from her countrywomen just to make the US Olympic team. She is aware of the world's other top sprinters as well, and has noted the return of Simpson, who struggled through 2007 with injuries and failed to make Jamaica's team to Osaka. Yet, even as the race for the women's sprint medals in Beijing heats up, Felix said she is ready to enjoy it.

"I think the competition is extremely high," said Felix. "And I think once we hook up, it will be fun."

Gordon Williams is a Jamaican journalist based in the United States.