There will be no runoff after all. Jeneba Tarmoh’s agent has told the USA Today that the sprinter “will not run today” and instead will surrender her spot in the women’s 100 meters for the 2012 Olympics. This means Allyson Felix will head to London to compete in the 100m sprint, along with the first and second place finishers, Carmelita Jeter and Tianna Madison.
Jeneba Tarmoh Withdraws From 100m Runoff, Per Her Agent
Speculation of a canceled runoff began Sunday evening when Tarmoh reportedly decided to pull out, despite representatives from USA Track and Field trying to convince her to run, though she didn’t officially withdraw at the time. The story was originally reported by SI’s Tim Layden.
“In my heart of hearts, I just feel like I earned the third spot. I almost feel like I was kind of robbed.,” Tarmoh told the AP after learning of the judge’s process to determine a tie for third-place.
Tarmoh’s decision not to participate in a runoff ends over a week’s worth of drama at the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Track and Field. She was originally declared the third-place finisher immediately after 100m ended June 23, but a judge’s review determined that she finished in a “dead heat” with Felix. USATF had no procedure for the unprecedented event, so they created one: there would be a runoff, unless one of the runners declined her spot, or both agreed to a coin flip.
Sunday night brought with it word that the two would indeed have a runoff, scheduled for Monday night at 8 p.m. ET at Hayward Field. But nearly as quickly as that was announced, word began to trickle out that Tarmoh was having second thoughts.
Team USA’s representation in the women’s 100m at London will now be the trio of Jeter, Madison and Felix.
Tarmoh finished fifth in the women’s 200 meters, meaning the 100m was her shot an individual Olympic berth. Both Tarmoh and Felix, who won the 200m, will be part of U.S. Olympic team as part of the 4x100m relay pool.
Stay with our StoryStream for the latest from the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Track & Field in Eugene as Team USA is decided.
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