Felix to run more 400s

LONDON (AP):

American sprinter Allyson Felix will try to improve her 200-metre time by competing in more 400 races this season; and she will decide next year whether to add that distance for the World Championships and 2012 London Olympics.

The three-time 200 world champion said yesterday that she will run the 400 more than ever before to "see if it's realistic for me to add that to my plate".

"The 400 definitely makes your 200 a better race and I've always run the 400 to get strength at the end of my 200-metre race," Felix said on a conference call. "I haven't decided about a double yet. Depending on how this year goes, I'll make the decision."

Top-level competitions

Felix spoke nine days before she opens her season at the Diamond League meet in Doha, Qatar - the first of 14 top-level competitions to be staged around the world this season. She will also compete at the London Grand Prix in August.

Although the 24-year-old Felix has won three World Championship gold medals, she has yet to match that at the Olympics, claiming silver medals in the 200 at both the 2004 Athens Games and 2008 Beijing Games.

"It's definitely frustrating always getting Worlds and never getting Olympics. I'm hoping the third time will be a charm when I get to London," Felix said. "I'm definitely looking towards London 2012 ... That's really what's motivating me and continues to drive me."