OT: Women's 100M Olympic Qualifying Tie

[UConnChapette]

Not sure if anyone is following any of the Olympic qualifying events, but in the women's 100M two runners tied for the third and final Olympic spot. Allyson Felix and Jeneba Tarmoh were determined to have tied after multiple reviews of the photo of the finish. This is highly unusual.

Apparently the resolution will be either a coin toss or a runoff. If both runners want a runoff, that is what it will be. If one runner wants a runoff and the other a coin toss, it will be a runoff. If neither voices a preference, it will be a coin toss.

Complicating matters, both athletes have the same coach.

If I am one of these athletes, why would I leave it to a coin-flip? Seems to me like a runoff is the only way to fairly resolve this. Win or lose, I would want to settle it on the track.

Whatever happens, it won't be determined until after the 200 Meter event is completed later this week.

 

[easttexastrash]

I over watered my yard today and had some runoff. I was distracted because I had to run off to brunch and left sprinkler going. Then we occupied the booth too long and had to be run off by the manager.

I vote for a run-off.

 

[stamfordhusky]

If I am one of these athletes, why would I leave it to a coin-flip? Seems to me like a runoff is the only way to fairly resolve this. Win or lose, I would want to settle it on the track.

I agree the tiebreaker is very likely to be a run-off. The one possible exception might be if one of the two suffers a minor injury and the two agree to a coin toss because they are training partners and friends.

One other remote possibility might be if Felix does well in her best event (200M) and also is likely to run both the 4x100 and 4x400 relays. In that case, there might be a chance she would just give up the third spot to Tarmoh, if Tarmoh fails to qualify in the 200M. Not saying it's likely, but possible.

 

[Blakeon18]

I think Stamford Husky has nailed it....but I think it is' likely' not 'remote'...this is assuming Allyson qualifies for the team in the 200.

 

[dtbtbtb]

I agree the tiebreaker is very likely to be a run-off. The one possible exception might be if one of the two suffers a minor injury and the two agree to a coin toss because they are training partners and friends.

One other remote possibility might be if Felix does well in her best event (200M) and also is likely to run both the 4x100 and 4x400 relays. In that case, there might be a chance she would just give up the third spot to Tarmoh, if Tarmoh fails to qualify in the 200M. Not saying it's likely, but possible.

Can Felix by considered for the 4x400 (she has been a great second leg on those 4x400 runs in the past) if she didn't run the 400 in the trials?

 

[stamfordhusky]

Can Felix by considered for the 4x400 (she has been a great second leg on those 4x400 runs in the past) if she didn't run the 400 in the trials?

I am fairly sure that the relay runners are selected by the Committee and don't have to have run the event in the trials. Felix finished 2nd in the 400 in last year's world championships, so she certainly has the pedigree. She also got a gold on that relay in the 2008 Olympics. She would probably have to run a 400 somewhere, however, to prove her current fitness level for the event.

As you likely know, the U.S. commonly has more than four runners go home with a relay medal, since other runners may be used in the heats. They might decide to use Felix in a heat and then use that race to determine whether to use her in the final.


EDIT: It appears that Felix did not run the 400M in the 2008 trials but, as mentioned above, did run on the relay. That would support what I said in the first sentence.

 

[Blakeon18]

Allyson has never won an individual gold in the Olympics...she has won several [I think] at the world championships...in the 200.
Relay gold in the Olympics but not in the individual races. She isn't old but has been around for a while...I hope she gets the gold in the 200 in London.....this might be her best shot...Rio in 2016 might find some youngsters coming up to make it more difficult.

BTW: Sanya Richards Ross easily won the 400 trials....she will be tough to beat in London in that event but I read that she will be trying to make the team in the 200 as well. Allyson will have to go some to be first in that race later this week.