No resolution yet on third Olympic berth in women’s 100 meters

EUGENE, Ore.--The dead heat between Allyson Felix and Jeneba Tarmoh for third place in the women’s 100-meter dash at the U.S. Olympic trials on Saturday has not been broken, but the man who coaches both suggested holding off on deciding who gets the final London Olympic berth until they compete in the 200 meters later this week.

Bobby Kersee told Reuters that he does not want to be involved in choosing whether Felix or Tarmoh had earned the third berth in the 100. Both women, who train with Kersee in Los Angeles, are also entered in the 200. Qualifying in the 200 begins on Thursday.

The U.S. can enter a maximum of three athletes in the 100, so the stakes are high in this case.

Felix, a two-time Olympic silver medalist in the 200, has been pursuing a 100/200 sprint double this season. She initially was told she had finished fourth and did not get the Olympic berth in the 100. However, timers were aware the two were very close and notified referees to look at photos taken by the track cameras. The photos did not provide conclusive evidence to break the tie.

Carmelita Jeter, who also trains in Los Angeles, won the 100 in 10.92 seconds. Former long jumper Tianna Madison was second, in 10.96 seconds.

It’s common in swimming to hold “swim-offs” in the case of photo finishes, so a runoff could be staged sometime this week. The trials continue through July 1.

RELATED:

Soccer really is child’s play for U.S. women’s team

Ashton Eaton sets world record in decathlon

Phelps vs. Lochte figures to be the splashiest rivalry