Allyson Felix, Jeneba Tarmoh to decide sprint deadlock in runoff on Monday

John Parker

2 July 2012 at 1:20 am

Even in a presidential election year the term "runoff" didn't seem likely to enter the nation's lexicon until November -- if at all.

But we will get a runoff to determine the fates of U.S. sprinters -- and training partners -- Allyson Felix and Jeneba Tarmoh. The race at 8 p.m. ET on Monday in Eugene, Ore., will determine the third and final female qualifier for Team USA in the 100-meter dash.

[ Video: Allyson Felix's intense Olympic workout regimen ]

Felix and Tarmoh finished in a dead heat for third -- the last qualifying spot -- in the women's 100-meter finals last Sunday at the USA Track and Field Trials on the campus of the University of Oregon. Initially Tarmoh, who would have qualified for her first Olympic team, was credited with third place. Felix, a three-time Olympic medalist in two separate appearances, placed fourth. But video evidence proved otherwise, sparking a weeklong debate about how to resolve it.

Coin flips and Jell-O wrestling were among the suggested methods of competition.

The story gained even more legs because Felix and Tarmoh are friends, room together and are both coached by Bobby Kersee. The issue festered so long because USA Track and Field did not have protocol in place to break a tie. Following a week of uncertainty, not to mention the aforementioned wild suggestions about how to resolve it, the duo was presented with the option of a coin flip or a head-to-head race.

Competitive spirit prevailed as both agreed to settle it on the track.