Felix says gold pattern against Ver is no pointer to WCA title

Gordon Williams, Gleaner Writer

The uncanny pattern created by previous contests suggest this summer's expected clash between Veronica Campbell-Brown and Allyson Felix in the 200 metres at the IAAF World Championships in Athletics (WCA) should be easy to call.

Yet, the three-time reigning WCA champion from the United States knows enough about the quality of her long-time Jamaican rival not to predict any outcome in Daegu, South Korea.

"I don't know," Felix said at the 117th Penn Relays recently. "We'll see how it goes."

The race for the gold medal at track and field's two showpiece events - the WCA and Olympic Games - has appeared to be the private domain of both women recently. For three consecutive WCA, held every two years, Felix has won gold, the last time in 2009 in Berlin, Germany. Campbell-Brown has triumphed over the American in the last two Olympics - 2004 and 2008.

Daegu appears ideal for the trend to continue. Not so fast, cautioned Felix. Campbell-Brown's record, which includes a 2007 WCA 100 metres title, means she should never be counted out.

'a lot of respect'

"I've always just had a lot of respect for her," said Felix. "The things that she's accomplished, you know, are truly amazing."

Felix is hoping next year's Olympics in London, England, she will finally break the pattern. But emulating Campbell-Brown's feat of winning an individual Olympic title continues to elude the American. In Berlin, she said she would swap her WCA gold medals for an Olympic title.

"I mean, I say that as a joke," she recalled her statement with a laugh, "but I've come to appreciate, you know, the journey that I've taken and I think that one day it's gonna be a special place. I hope it all comes together (in London) and, you know, I'm gonna lay it all out on the line there."

Meanwhile, Felix relishes the competition with Campbell-Brown. She believes it brings out the best in both athletes and is always pumped up for the challenge.

"I mean, I love the rivalry," she said. "I think it's really great. It's good for the sport.

"Obviously, Veronica is a phenomenal athlete. I think racing her makes each of us better, you know, when you have that top competition. And so I always get excited when I get the chance to race her."

But Felix may not be totally fixated on beating Campbell-Brown to get WCA gold. She said she is considering "doubling up" - running the 200 and 400 metres - in Daegu. Many argue that the long-striding Felix could be the best quarter-miler in the world, a title now held by Jamaica-born Sanya Richards-Ross, who won in Berlin running for the US.

Felix ran the relay's second-fastest leg on the successful 'USA Red' 4x400 team at Penns, clocking 50.3 seconds on April 30. The following week she won the 400 metres in 50.33 seconds at a Diamond League meet in Doha.

stepping stone

Felix said she is excited about going for the 2011 WCA 200 metres title and plans to use it as a "stepping stone" for Olympic gold. She doesn't believe there's any special link associated with her performances against Campbell-Brown at the WCA and Olympics, including the time period when both events are staged, and prefers to dole out credit where it is due.

"No, it doesn't matter," Felix said. "You know, (Campbell-Brown) just has outrun me and she's run phenomenally both times (at the Olympics). Yeah, that's all there is to it."

But, according to Felix, the two champions do see the humour in their on-track rivalry and the pattern that has developed.

"We definitely talked about it a little bit," the American said. "You know, it's kinda like joking. She's always getting Olympics (gold) and, you know, I'm always getting Worlds (gold) and I always want that (Olympic gold). It just goes back and forth."

Yet when the two clash for business, it's usually restricted to a smile and a wave.

"When we're on the track it's like completely focused," Felix said, before adding, "It's just 'we'll talk afterwards'."

So far, depending on whether it's the Olympics or WCA, one of them is usually in a much better mood.