DES MOINES (United States): Allyson Felix’s bid to qualify for the World Championships fell just short while 400m runner Fred Kerley and pole vaulter Sam Kendricks lit up the US Athletics Championships on Saturday.
Felix, 33, racing in her first meeting for more than a year after taking time off to give birth to her daughter, finished sixth in the 400m final at Drake Stadium.
Although Felix could still travel to Doha as part of the USA’s 4x400m relay squad, it will be the first time she has not entered an individual event at a major championships, ending a sequence of appearances that stretches all the way back to 2003.
“I just didn’t feel great,” Felix said afterwards.
“I knew that it was a less than ideal situation for me.”
Felix, however, said she was encouraged by her performances in Iowa as she looks towards the 2020 Olympics.
“I am grateful more than anything,” she said. “It would be crazy for me to say that I was disappointed. I have my health, I have my family and I couldn’t ask for anymore than that.” – AFP
