DAEGU, South Korea, (Reuters) – After putting her life on ice for two days, defending champion Allyson Felix eased into the final of the women’s 200 metres at the world championships yesterday.
Pipped to the gold medal in the 400 on Monday, the American admitted to feeling sluggish when returning to the more familiar discipline of the half-lap at the Deagu Stadium.
The 25-year-old progressed comfortably enough despite finishing second in both in her morning heat and evening semi-final, where she ran 22.67 seconds but was beaten by Olympic champion Veronica Campbell-Brown.
“I just wanted to qualify easily and set myself up for tomorrow,” Felix told reporters. “I wouldn’t be human if I said I felt great.”
Felix, attempting her first 200-400 double at a major championships, said she had spent the two days between her events taking it as easy as possible.