SAINT-DENIS, France -- Allyson Felix, the 17-year-old American sprinter with the world's fastest time in the 200 meters this year, will bypass college competition to go directly to the professional track circuit.

	Olympic hopeful Felix signed with adidas.

Felix, the first high-profile U.S. runner to go from high school to the pros, said Tuesday the move will better help her prepare for the 2004 Athens Olympics. She said she has signed a six-year sponsorship contract with adidas.

"I thought it was an opportunity that I should not really turn down right now. It will work with my goals," she said. "Definitely the goal of competing in the college system is not the Olympics."

Felix discussed her move after being eliminated in the quarterfinals of the 200 at the World Championships. She finished sixth in her heat, failing to advance to Wednesday's semifinals.

Her decision had been revealed earlier in the day when adidas spokesman Jan Runau confirmed Felix had signed a sponsorship contract with the shoe company. Such contracts automatically make an athlete a professional.

"It was a huge decision. I gave it a lot of thought and decided with my family," she said. "It was a good opportunity that might not be there later on."

Felix had accepted a scholarship to run track for Southern California, but said her tuition now will be paid by adidas. She still plans to attend USC, where her older brother Wes is a top sprinter, even though she no longer will not eligible to compete for the Trojans.

She said she plans to take a full class schedule during the first semester, but will taper her workload during the spring semester as the Olympics draw near.

Felix could be one of the featured athletes at the 2004 Athens Games -- especially if she races in the 200 there against reigning champion Marion Jones. Jones hopes to return to track competition after giving birth to a son two months ago.

Felix, who graduated from Los Angeles Baptist High in June, was little known outside California track circles until this spring.

In April, she ran the 200 in 22.51 seconds to break Jones' 11-year-old national high school record and beat a field that included 1999 world champion Inger Miller.

Two weeks later at a meet in Mexico City she ran 22.11 -- the fastest time by any woman this year. It was also faster than every winning time at the Olympics through 1976, and was .01 seconds quicker than the 1996 gold medal-winning time of France's Marie Jose Perec.

For now, Felix said, she is still working with high school coach Jonathan Patton.

Felix, wearing adidas shoes, ran a time of 23.33 in the quarterfinals.

"I've had a really long season, but I wouldn't trade being here for anything," she said. "It was a good learning experience."

There will be little time for Felix to rest -- she's already has to catch up on some studying.

"Class started Monday, so I'm a little behind," she said.