In an interview this afternoon at the Hilton Hotel in downtown Eugene, Tarmoh said she had a change of heart Sunday afternoon moments after the runoff had been announced by USATF. Tarmoh, relaxed and smiling as she spoke, said she was at Hayward Field on Sunday when she told her agent that she had reconsidered her decision to race her training partner Felix. She returned to her hotel to think more about her decision before informing Felix later in the evening. “With time you are going to think it over some more and weigh more options," Tarmoh said. "I said, ‘What is the worst that can happen?' If you’re happy, why are you going to make a decision that will make you unhappy.”
“After we had the discussion [Sunday morning], and [USATF officials] pretty much said. ‘Jeneba, what do you want to do, forfeit or do you want to run?’ I said, ‘Are they my only two options?’ They said, 'Yes.' So I said, 'I will run.' But throughout the day I thought about it. I ran that 100 [meters final, on June 24], and I did the victory lap, and I got my medal, and then they say I have to run again—after I ran the 100 and the 200, the three rounds.
"I had a whole lot of emotions and I was heartbroken," Tarmoh continued. "In my mind I felt that my joy was kind of taken away—after I had gotten third [in the 100]. And my legs were tired [after the 200-meter final on Saturday in which she finished fifth]. It was more of my emotions. It would have been unfair to myself to go out there not wholeheartedly.”
When she called Felix, Tarmoh said, she told her training partner, “Allyson, my heart is not into it. I don’t want to do a runoff or a coin flip. You just take it and I just wish you luck in the 100, the 200, the 4 x 100, and 4 x 400. You trained hard for it.”
Tarmoh said she did plan to run on the women's 4 x 100 relay in London.
The week-long debate about how the tie would be broken weighed on Tarmoh. “Throughout the process I didn’t want to run again," she says. "It didn’t feel right. I am a prayerful person and I prayed, and just the thought of running again…my heart wasn’t in it. I don’t know how to explain it. But once I made the final decision I was at peace. I smiled and laughed for the first time in days.”
Tarmoh said that giving up the chance to compete in the Olympics was difficult. “It is hard, I must admit. It is not an easy decision. I did train really hard. At the end of the day just I know in my heart that I prayed to God and this is what God wants me to do.”
Of those who might criticize her for bailing on the runoff, Tarmoh, said, “I can’t be mad. If [people] have anything against me, if they are upset at me, I can’t really say anything.”
Below is a full transcript of the interview.
Explain your decision to not do the run-off.
Tarmoh: After we had the discussion the morning of the meeting, and they [USATF officials] pretty much said. “Jeneba, what do you want to do, forfeit or do you want to run?” I said, “Are they my only two options?” They said, “Yes.” So I said, “I will run.” But throughout the day I thought about it. I ran that 100, and I did the victory lap, and I got my medal, and then they say I have to run again—after I ran the 100 and the 200, the three rounds. I had a whole lot of emotions and I was heartbroken. In my mind I felt that my joy was kind of taken away—after I had gotten third—and my legs were tired. It was more of my emotions. It would have been unfair to myself to go out there not whole-heartedly.
The Spring Marathons of 2025?
Tarmoh: I spoke to Allyson. I said, “You know, Allyson, my heart is not into it. I don’t want to do a run-off or a coin flip. You just take it and I just wish you luck in the 100, the 200, the 4 x 11, and 4 x 400. You trained hard for it.” I called her last night and told her everything how I felt.
Shoes & Gear?
Tarmoh: Throughout the process I didn’t want to run again. It didn’t feel right. I am a prayerful person and I prayed and just the thought of running again, my heart wasn’t in it. I don’t know how to explain it. But once I made the final decision, I was at peace. I smiled and laughed for the first time in days.
No doubt about it, but you never know what happens?
Tarmoh: It is hard, I must admit. It is not an easy decision giving up an Olympic spot. I did train really hard. At the end of the day just as long I know in my heart that I prayed to God and this is what God wants me to do. I can’t be mad. If they [people] have anything against me, if they are upset at me, I can’t really say anything.
Nutrition - Weight Loss?
Tarmoh: I don’t think I would have been at my best if I would have gone out there tonight. I doubt I would have been at my best.
Why then decide to do it?
Tarmoh: At the time I can safely say I felt like I was being pushed into a corner. They just said, ‘Jeneba, you have five minutes, two options, run or give it up.' In the heat of the moment anyone would say, run. But with time you are going to think about it some more and weigh more options. I said, What is the worst that can happy? If you’re happy why are you going to make decision that will make you unhappy.
Did you sleep well last night?
Tarmoh: It was…I don’t know their names. Max [Siegel, USATF CEO] and Stephanie [Hightower, USATF president]. They didn’t really push me. They just said these are your options. They didn’t say you had to choose right now, but I felt I had to.
I slept perfect. It was the best sleep I had since the final in the 100 meter?
Tarmoh: They [USATF] tried their hardest to resolve the situation as quickly as possible. It’s hard; they don’t have procedures for situations like this, but with the time given, I think they did do a good job. I think if they had a procedure for dead heats before this track meet and before we ran the final, then it would have been easier on Allyson and myself. It was hard on us.
These Are the Worlds Fastest Marathoners?
Tarmoh: Yes, I have the utmost respect for Allyson. She is my friend, sister, competitor, and training partner. I have no ill feelings toward. I wish her the best of luck and Godspeed.
Races - Places?
Tarmoh: Yes.
No doubt?
Tarmoh: No doubt about it, but you never know what happens.
CA Notice at Collection?
Tarmoh: I slept perfect. It was the best sleep I had since the final [in the 100 meter].
When did you make the decision to not do the run-off?
Tarmoh: I was at the track [Hayward] yesterday. It was probably three or four o’clock. I spoke to my agent and came to my conclusion that it is done with. I tried to think some more but I was too happy.
You mentioned previously that you were “robbed”. Do you still feel that way?
Tarmoh: I wouldn’t call it robbed. I feel like I would just say I could not fully experience my joy.
Results: 2024 NCAA DI Cross-Country Championships?
Tarmoh: I prayed. I can’t say I did it myself. I do have my family members pray. And I went to my room, opened my Bible, mediated, said my prayers. It was just me having a conversation.
Results: 2024 NCAA DI Cross-Country Championships?
Tarmoh: My family said do what you feel is right. Whatever makes you happy. When I was leaning for the runoff, they said, “Then go out and run your butt off. What is the worst that can happen? Just thinking about it, though, I was crying on the phone to my dad. How can I run off when I can’t fathom why I have to run again? But after I made the decision, they said, “We trust you, and if you prayed about it then everything is going to work out the way it is supposed to.”
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Published: Jul 02, 2012 12:00 AM EDT
Published: Jul 02, 2012 12:00 AM EDT
Published: Jul 02, 2012 12:00 AM EDT