Allyson Felix, the most decorated female runner in American track history, has departed
from her sport.
She announced at the beginning of this season that she was going to retire.
“As a little girl they called chicken legs, never in my wildest dreams would I have
imagined Iʼd have a career like this. I have so much gratitude for this sport that has changed my life. I have given everything I have to running and for the first time Iʼm not sure if I have anything left to give…This season Iʼm running for women. Iʼm running for a better future for my daughter. Iʼm running for you,” she posted on Instagram.
In 2003, she rose to fame at age 17 after finishing second in the 200-meter at the US
World Championships trials. Two incredibly successful decades later, she sealed her wildly
successful career in Eugene, Oregon, with a bronze medal in the 4×400 mixed relay.
Felix has earned the most Olympic medals out of any American track athlete with 11
medals, 7 of which are gold. She also has the most World Championships medals, with 13
golds and 19 total.
She has also become an activist for women’s rights. After developing pre-eclampsia in
her first pregnancy, she spoke to Congress about how black women develop life-threatening
pregnancy conditions more than others because of racism. She wrote an opinion piece for The New York Times about how her sponsor, Nike, wanted to pay her 70% less after she became a mother. This had a great effect, as three months later, Nike promised not to pay pregnant athletes less due to performance-related reasons for 18 consecutive months, starting 18 months before their due dates. This has quickly drawn in respect for her.
“For one black woman to speak their mind and speak for what they believe is right, even
have the courage to try, is something I feel young people should be watching for years to
come,” said teammate Noah Lyles.
Felix’s legacy will forever be remembered in the sport of running. She has given so
much to the world, both in and out of the sport, as an athlete and as a women’s rights activist.
from her sport.
She announced at the beginning of this season that she was going to retire.
“As a little girl they called chicken legs, never in my wildest dreams would I have
imagined Iʼd have a career like this. I have so much gratitude for this sport that has changed my life. I have given everything I have to running and for the first time Iʼm not sure if I have anything left to give…This season Iʼm running for women. Iʼm running for a better future for my daughter. Iʼm running for you,” she posted on Instagram.
In 2003, she rose to fame at age 17 after finishing second in the 200-meter at the US
World Championships trials. Two incredibly successful decades later, she sealed her wildly
successful career in Eugene, Oregon, with a bronze medal in the 4×400 mixed relay.
Felix has earned the most Olympic medals out of any American track athlete with 11
medals, 7 of which are gold. She also has the most World Championships medals, with 13
golds and 19 total.
She has also become an activist for women’s rights. After developing pre-eclampsia in
her first pregnancy, she spoke to Congress about how black women develop life-threatening
pregnancy conditions more than others because of racism. She wrote an opinion piece for The New York Times about how her sponsor, Nike, wanted to pay her 70% less after she became a mother. This had a great effect, as three months later, Nike promised not to pay pregnant athletes less due to performance-related reasons for 18 consecutive months, starting 18 months before their due dates. This has quickly drawn in respect for her.
“For one black woman to speak their mind and speak for what they believe is right, even
have the courage to try, is something I feel young people should be watching for years to
come,” said teammate Noah Lyles.
Felix’s legacy will forever be remembered in the sport of running. She has given so
much to the world, both in and out of the sport, as an athlete and as a women’s rights activist.
