Felix embraces new challenge, focuses on 400
Last month’s RIO DE JANEIRO U.S. track and field trials were an Olympics in miniature, with many of the world’s best in their respective events pitting themselves against a level of competition beyond what awaits this week at the Summer Games.
So it’s a testament to Allyson Felix’s skill, and her doggedness, that the six-time medalist was able to overcome a nagging ankle injury, suffered while weight training in April, to earn a spot in the 400 meters.
“I feel like I’ve made a lot of progress since trials,” she said. “Things are going well — a lot better than I was. Going into (the trials) I wasn’t certain I’d be able to make the team. So to be able to have it all come together was so special.”
Yet Felix, 30, couldn’t hide her disappointment over not making the U.S. team in the 200, robbing her of the chance for a 200-400 medal double.
“I was disappointed with my 200 performance at trials,” said Felix, who will begin competition in the 400 on Saturday. “It’s definitely heartbreaking not to be there. It’s my favorite race.
“But I just had to put everything into perspective, what happened to me this year — just be grateful that I’m on the Olympic team. It’s a new challenge.”
Besides, there’s another marker in sight: With one more medal, Felix will pass Jackie Joyner-Kersee for the most career medals by an American female track and field athlete.
There’s irony to be found in the role Joyner-Kersee has played in helping Felix reach Rio. There’s the obvious connection: Felix has long been coached by Kersee’s husband, Bobby. But while Bobby helped Felix on the track, Jackie Joyner-Kersee played a nearly as important role as a mentor — a role she’s held for much of Felix’s career.
“Jackie has been just an amazing person in my life, along with Bobby,” Felix said. “Throughout my career she has encouraged me and helped me, but especially this year.
“Every time something new would happen and would come up out of nowhere, Jackie would call me and support me and encourage me.”
And Felix need only to look toward her mentor to find a corollary for the upcoming competition. Kersee suffered a hamstring injury at the U.S. trials leading into the 1996 Atlanta Games, preventing her from claiming a third gold medal in a row in the heptathlon.
Undaunted, Kersee battled through the injury to capture bronze in the long jump — her secondary event after the heptathlon. The parallels to Felix’s own medal quest after failing to make the 200 are obvious.
“I’ve had a lot of adversity this year, a lot of new challenges,” Felix said. “But I’m excited to use my experience over the years and try to get it done again.”