EUGENE, Ore. — Maybe the response just slipped. Or maybe the question completely caught her off guard.

As Allyson Felix sauntered away from the crowd and on to safety, she actually broke her vow of silence.

‘‘Feeling good,’’ she said in almost a hushed voice. And then she was off again, escorted by coach Bobby Kersee.

Felix is looking solid on the track even in the midst of controversy, winning her semifinal heat at Olympic trials on Friday.

Same with training partner Jeneba Tarmoh, who moments earlier captured her race convincingly, too.

Some of the biggest names in US sprinting were missing from the starting blocks in the opening round of the men’s 200 meters.

Justin Gatlin and Tyson Gay were expected to sit out after securing spots in the 100.

But the absence of Olympic bronze medalist Walter Dix was a bit of a surprise.

Dix was hampered by a lingering left hamstring injury that slowed him in the 100, but he thought he might be ready for the 200.

Now, Dix’s only option for making it to London will be as a member of the 400 relay team. Dix tweeted that he heard he had been nominated: ‘‘It’s an honor!!! Thanx for the love and support . . . very much appreciated.’’

This was one of the sprinters the Americans were counting on, too.

In the only finals, Emma Coburn won steeplechase and Jillian Camarena-Williams captured the shot put crown.