American sprinter, Allyson Felix’s pursuit of a rare 200-400 metres double at the Rio Olympics gained momentum on Monday when US officials asked the IAAF for a schedule change to make an attempt possible, report Reuters.

“We did receive an official request today from USATF,” Paul Hardy, competitions director for the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), told Reuters in an email. “This will be reviewed in the next few days.”

Felix, the Olympic 200m gold medallist and world 400m champion, is seeking to become only the third female to complete the double in the Summer Games.

“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,” USA Track & Field (USATF) CEO, Max Siegel, said in making the request.

“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.”
The current Rio schedule would make the double a daunting challenge. Felix, winner of 20 Olympic and world championship medals, would need to compete in the first round of the 200m 75 minutes before the 400m final.

“Adjusting the schedule in my opinion does not hurt anybody,” coach Bob Kersee told Reuters.

Only twice has a female athlete won both at the Olympics. Kersee-coached Valerie Brisco-Hooks claimed the honour in 1984 and France’s Marie-Jose Perec won both in 1996.

The IAAF changed the schedule in 1996 so Perec and American Michael Johnson could attempt their double with Johnson breaking the world record in the 200m and winning the 400m.