Posted: July 24, 2006

Athletics: Women's 200 Meters Set To Sizzle

Eugene, Ore. (July 24, 2006)---Michael Conley, executive director of USA Track & Field's Elite Athlete Division, has announced that two of the world's fastest women, Allyson Felix and Sanya Richards, will go head to head in the 200 meters at the Road to Eugene '08, an elite high-performance meet benefiting the Professional Athletics Association, on Tuesday, Aug. 8, at the University of Oregon's legendary Hayward Field.

The Felix - Richards race is expected to be intense, fast and more than worth the price of admission. The 200 meters is one of 20 outstanding events featuring elite athletes and members of the U.S. Junior National Team that fans won't want to miss.

Felix was undefeated in the 200 meters in 2005 and posted that year's fastest time in the world at 22.13. She was the 2005 World Champion in the 200 meters, ranked No. 1 in the event by Track & Field News, and was ranked No. 9 in the world in the 100 meters.

With a win in Madrid earlier this season, the 20-year-old sprinter started the 2006 season where she left off in 2005, but was slowed recently by a minor injury and illness. Felix's race with Richards will mark her first meet on her road back to competition.

Known more for her prowess in the 400 meters, the 21-year-old Richards has run the fifth fastest time in the 200 meters this year, a 22.25 at Gateshead in June. In addition, she has run five of the top eight 400 meter times in the world in 2006, all under 50 seconds flat. Last year, Richards was ranked No. 1 in the world in the 400 meters by Track & Field News, and was the silver medalist at the 2005 World Championships.

The meet is sponsored by Nike and the Eugene Local Organizing Committee for the 2008 U. S. Olympic Track & Field Trials, in partnership with the Professional Athletics Association (PAA), USA Track & Field (USATF) and its Athletes Advisory and High Performance Committees, the University of Oregon, and the Oregon Track Club. The Olympic Trials will be held in Eugene at Hayward Field, June 27 through July 6, 2008.

Tickets for the Road to Eugene '08 are $15 each for reserved seating and $10 each for general admission. They are available at the Casanova Center ticket office, GoDucks.com, and 800-WEBFOOT.

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