USATF had requested the schedule change to enable Allyson Felix to consider contesting both events at the Rio Olympics

Allyson Felix could contest both the 200m and 400m at the Rio Olympic Games after the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) announced a change to the timetable.

The previous schedule had the women’s 200m heats taking place 75 minutes before the 400m final on August 15, but the world governing body has since switched the women’s 200m heats with the 400m hurdles heats on that date, now leaving more than 13 hours between the first round of the 200m and the 400m final.

USA Track & Field (USATF) formally petitioned” the IAAF in December, requesting that the world governing body consider the change.

“I am grateful that the IAAF and IOC adjusted the timing of the 200 and 400 events so that athletes like myself could more feasibly attempt to compete in both events,” said four-time Olympic and nine-time world gold medallist Felix in a statement published via her Twitter account.

“Thanks, too, to USATF for advocating for the athletes. The schedule was just the first step. The next step is to make the US Olympic team.

“I am currently training for both events and am excited for the opportunity to attempt this incredibly difficult feat.”

A comment from USATF CEO Max Siegel was published via the governing body’s Twitter account. He said: “USATF is extremely pleased the IAAF and IOC have changed the Rio 2016 timetable to allow for a 200-400 double in women s competition.

“We worked closely with Allyson Felix and her team to advocate for this change, which will help elevate the visibility of the sport as a whole on the Olympic stage.”

The new Rio 2016 timetable can be viewed here.

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