Sprinters still not talking about tie

EUGENE, Ore. — Maybe the response just slipped. Or maybe the question completely caught her off guard.

As Allyson Felix sauntered away from the crowd and on to safety, she actually broke her vow of silence.

“Feeling good,” she said in almost a hushed voice. And then she was off again, escorted by her coach, Bobby Kersee.

Felix is looking solid on the track even in the midst of controversy, winning her semifinal heat at the Olympic trials Friday.

Same with training partner Jeneba Tarmoh, who moments earlier won her race convincingly, too.

After the 200-meter final today, these two sprinters will finally address what many are anxious to know: Just how they will break their third place tie in the 100 and decide who earns the final spot to the London Games in the event.

A runoff ? A flip of the coin?

Soon, there will be a resolution. Maybe even something as simple as one of them surrendering the spot to the other.

In the only final Friday, Emma Coburn won steeplechase and Jillian Camarena-Williams captured the shot put crown.

But these days and at these trials, the overriding topic is the one involving Felix and Tarmoh. Just how they’re going to settle the matter is something that’s now been hanging over the competition for the last week.

USA Track and Field didn’t have any procedure in place to break the dead heat. Immediately after the 100 race last Saturday night, the organization quickly scrambled to put together some options for the athletes.

The sprinters have elected to not say anything until after the 200. That way, they can focus on making the team in that event.

Only, Felix blabbed - if two words can be considered that.

Usually so polite and open to talk, Felix has been hurried away by Kersee the past two days. He’s protective of both his sprinters.

But maybe Kersee is softening, too, with the resolution so close. As he ushered Felix away, he was asked how Felix is looking.

Without even turning around, Kersee raised his right hand and gave a thumbs-up.

All the attention may be on Tarmoh and Felix heading into the final, but they have some pretty tenacious competition. Sanya Richards-Ross, who won the 400 earlier at trials, keeps getting stronger with every round.

“I felt good. My body felt really good,” Richards-Ross said after turning in the top time of 22.15 seconds in the semifinals. “Yesterday I was little tight and today I felt fresh.

“Hopefully, tomorrow I’ll go even faster and put together another great race to win it.”

Hyleas Fountain leads the heptathlon after the first day of competition, while reigning Olympic champion Angelo Taylor had the top time in the 400 hurdles. The 110 hurdles went as expected with Aries Merritt, Jason Richardson, David Oliver and David Payne all advancing.

“There were some nerves involved and I just have to stay focused,” Merritt said.