The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunremedia.net

RIO de Janeiro, Brazil: Shaunae Miller set up another rematch with Allyson Felix after she trailed the American through the finish line of the women's 400 metres semi-final on a sensational Sunday at the Olympic Stadium.

Unlike last year's final in the IAAF World Championships where she pulled away from the start, Felix came from behind in lane three in the last of three heats to catch Miller in lane four on the back stretch. She slowly pulled away coming off the final curve and took it home in the fastest qualifying time of 49.67, a season's best.

Miller, the runner-up to Felix in Beijing, tried to accelerate to catch the American, but she didn't have enough real estate, finishing second in 49.91, the fourth fastest qualifying time.

Jamaican Shericka Jackson was the second fastest qualifier in winning heat two in a personal best of 49.83, holding off American Natasha Hastings, who trailed in 49.90, her season's best.

Miller, the 22-year-old national champion, didn't come through the mixed zone to talk to the reporters, but as she passed by, 30-year-old Felix quipped: "It's going to be a lot of fun," about the rematch with Miller. Although she didn't come through the zone, head coach George Cleare indicated that she was okay.

The final will take place on Monday night at 9:45 pm – Miller running out of lane seven in between Hastings in six and Jamaican Stephanie Ann McPherson in eight. Felix has drawn lane four with Jackson in five. Another American, Phyllis Francis, the winner of heat one in 50.31, will run out of three.

Lane two will be occupied by Libania Grenot of Italy and Otha Zeml Yak of Ukraine will take up lane one.