7/6/2012
Ashton Eaton used a world record performance in the decathlon and Allyson Felix rode a career best time in the 200 meters during the Olympic Team Trials – Track & Field as each overtook first place and claimed the 2012 Visa Championship Series outdoor titles and $25,000 check.
Eaton’s world record performance of 9,039 points opened competition at the Olympic Trials and gave him a total of 1,270 points in the VCS standings and a narrow five-point victory over sprinter Justin Gatlin. Felix’s personal best in the 200m of 21.69 seconds helped her overtake long jumper Brittney Reese with a total of 1,252 points.
VCS title latest mark in brilliant season for Eaton
Eaton’s first career VCS title comes in the midst of one of the finest seasons of the 24-year-old’s career. Eaton’s world record set in rainy conditions at the Olympic Trials was his second world record in less than three months. In March he bettered his own world record in the heptathlon at the World Indoor Championships in Istanbul, Turkey.
Eaton heads into the London Olympic Games as the favorite to win a second consecutive Olympic gold medal in the decathlon for Team USA. Eaton won a silver medal at last year’s World Outdoor Championships.
Felix lands first VCS title
The VCS title was the first in an impressive career for Felix. Making her third Olympic Games, Felix will compete in both the 100m and 200m in London.
The personal best in the 200m comes in a career for Felix that includes three World Outdoor titles in the event and a pair of Olympic Games silver medals. She also won a silver medal last year at the World Outdoor Championships. The VCS title for Felix adds to her long resume that also includes three Jesse Owens Awads and a total of 13 World Outdoor and Olympic Games medals.
The 2012 outdoor VCS season consisted of four meets – USA vs. The World at the Penn Relays; Nike Prefontaine Classic; adidas Grand Prix and the Olympic Team Trials – Track & Field.
Aries Merritt (1,258 points) and Sanya Richards-Ross (1,229) also finished in the top three in this year’s VCS standings.
Jared Slinde
Communications Manager
USA Track & Field
317.713.4690
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