Triple world champion Allyson Felix said Wednesday she will begin to intensify her training for the upcoming season with the Beijing Olympics barely six months away.
The 22-year-old US sprint star graduated from the University of Southern California last month with an elementary education degree, eliminating the burden of books from her attention as she focuses on gold in China in August.
"I'm excited to start two-a-day workouts this week," Felix said Wednesday in an IAAF website posting. "Normally I don't start until the summer but I'm able to begin a lot earlier this year because I don't have to worry about school."
Felix, the 2004 Olympic 200m runner-up, won world 200-meter titles in 2005 and 2007 and also ran on triumphant 4x100 and 4x400 relays last year at Osaka.
On Thursday, Felix will start typical training sessions at 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 in the afternoon, followed by a weightlifting session.
"One practice focuses on blocks and the other is a conditioning workout. I am excited to improve on my start without losing anything conditioning work," Felix said.
Felix will depart Friday for Beijing and stay in China through February 6 on a publicity tour. She and coach Bobby Kersee will scout possible lodging locations near Olympic Stadium.
Felix has said she would consider seeking a golden double at Beijing in the 200 and 400 and even look at the 100, but any such dream would require qualifying at the US Olympic Athletics Trials, which run from June 27 to July 6 at Eugene, Oregon.
{{/usCountry}}Felix has said she would consider seeking a golden double at Beijing in the 200 and 400 and even look at the 100, but any such dream would require qualifying at the US Olympic Athletics Trials, which run from June 27 to July 6 at Eugene, Oregon.
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