Jeneba Tarmoh and Allyson Felix tied for third place in the finals of the women’s 100 meter final at the United States Olympic Trials. They were given a choice of a run-off between the two of them, or a coin flip. I thought flipping a coin for a chance to represent your team in the Olympics was bad enough, until Tarmoh, after agreeing to a run-off, decided to concede her spot on the team for the event to Felix without running again. She did say she felt she was robbed in the first race. But pouting yourself off the 100 meter team is not the way to solve the situation.
Tarmoh is still going to the London Olympics as part of the 400 meter relay team, but I don’t understand her decision to concede her spot, without a run-off in the 100 meters. Felix won the 200 meters in the Olympic Trials, and is the two-time defending silver medalist at that distance. So this run-off would not have resulted in one of them staying home. Ironically, they train together in Los Angeles with Bob Kersee.
I question the competitive spirit in an athlete that would basically quit an event, when she is so close to being on the ultimate stage in the Olympics. No injury or illness was reported. Tarmoh is eligible to run in the 400 meter relay, but that doesn’t mean she will run for a medal in the finals. In fact, as a coach choosing which runners take part in the relay, wouldn’t this decision of hers cause a negative effect on her standing as a competitor, and also question her heart?
I’m competitive in much less important endeavors than the Olympics, so I really don’t understand Tarmoh’s decision. However, the United States will be represented by a true champion in Allyson Felix, along with the two women who beat both of them in the trials, Carmelita Jeter and Tianna Madison. So we will be just fine.
