DES MOINES, United States (AFP) – 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.’’
Asked if she would take a place on the US relay squad for Doha if it was available, Felix said form and fitness would influence her decision.
The upset of the day came in the 400m, where rising star Michael Norman was beaten for gold by the powerful Kerley.
Norman has lit up athletics in his first professional season this year with a world leading 43.45sec.
But he was unable to overhaul Kerley down the stretch as the 24-year-old Texan muscled his way to the line in a personal best of 43.64sec, making him the seventh fastest 400m runner of all time.
