Allyson Felix off the blocks to keep pace with Usain Bolt gold at worlds

American running star Allyson Felix began a quest for her own ninth gold medal at the world championships on Monday after Usain Bolt set the record for success at worlds on Sunday.

Allyson Felix of the United States competes in the women's 400 metres heats on Monday at the 2015 Athletics World Championships in Beijing. Andy Lyons / Getty Images / August 24, 2015

After Usain Bolt set the record for most gold medals at the world championships, Allyson Felix got started Monday in a bid to join him at nine.

With her usual effortless grace, Felix coasted into the semi-finals of the 400 meters, her mind focused on getting her first gold in the one-lap race a decade after she won her first world title in the 200m. In between, she has won a slew of 4x100m and 4x400m relay and 200m golds.

Coming into Beijing, Felix was tied at eight with Bolt and American track greats Michael Johnson and Carl Lewis. But Bolt went a notch higher with Sunday’s stirring victory in the 100m.

Not that the statistics worry Felix.

“It’s funny, I never even think of the number or anything,” said Felix, who will not compete in the 200m in Beijing. “One step at a time.”

The American sprinter has the season’s second-best time in the 400m, behind Shaunae Miller of the Bahamas. Both won their heats and advanced with Stephanie Ann McPherson, the Jamaican who had the day’s top time of 50.34 seconds.

“It felt good to get the first one under me and just keep moving on,” Felix said.

Through much of her career, Felix has raced against the best women in the world. In the overall medal standings, she is right up there with three of the greatest men in the sport’s history.

Bolt still has the 200m and 4x100m relays to pad his total while Felix could line up in both relay races before the championships end.

But while Bolt never has any schedule problems with his sprint races, Felix could not combine her individual 200m and 400m ambitions in the current programme, reducing her potential medal haul at the Bird’s Nest. And considering she holds the season’s top time for the 200m as the only woman to break the 22-second mark, she would have been a favourite for gold.

Follow us on Twitter @NatSportUAE