USA Track & Field (USATF) has confirmed that it has “formally petitioned” the  International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) to make changes to the Rio 2016 Olympics schedule to allow  Allyson Felix to double in the 200m and 400m events.

Felix

The four-time Olympic gold medallist claimed her ninth world outdoor gold when taking the 400m title in Beijing in August and is keen to contest both the one-lap and half-lap events in Rio. The current timetable for the Rio Olympics has the women’s  200m heats taking place 75 minutes before the 400m final on August 15.

“Allyson is the most decorated female athlete in IAAF history and should have the chance to go for a double, competing in what likely will be her fourth and final Olympic Games,” commented USATF CEO Max Siegel.

“Such an achievement would elevate the sport at the Games, and as a federation we owe it to her and to the sport as a whole to make the request.”