The most decorated female athlete in Olympic history, Allyson Felix, will resume her career to compete in the 2028 home Games in Los Angeles. The champion explained her decision in an interview with Time.
The seven-time Olympic champion retired after the Tokyo Olympics, where she won her tenth and eleventh medals – gold in the 4x400m relay and bronze in the 400m. Felix did this after recovering from giving birth two years ago.
Felix said she plans to resume training to compete in her sixth Olympic Games when she turns 42. To do this, the athlete wants to start a full training schedule in October 2026 in order to return to the highest level of competition next year.
“A lot of us have been told not to do big, bold things,” Felix told Time. “At this age, I should probably stay home and take care of my kids, do all that. Why not? Let's turn everything upside down to do our thing. Let's be vulnerable.”
Felix explained her decision with “mixed feelings” during the 2024 Olympics in Paris. During them, the athlete did not compete for the national team for the first time, and she noted that she missed this feeling on the other side of the stands.
Her ultimate goal is to be at the opening ceremony of the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. As Felix notes, “When I was competing, there was this roar of ovation for the host country athletes at the Olympics. I would love to experience that.”
“Performing at the [Olympics] at home is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and that's a powerful enough [argument] for me to restart my career. I'd probably be disappointed if I didn't try.”
“I totally understand the thoughts about someone who's been stuck in their career for too long, and you're like, 'What is she doing?'” says Felix. “I know, at 40, I'm not at the peak of my career, I have no illusions about that. I'm very clear about what it is and [what results] I want to see. So I hope it's perceived that way.”
Felix said she was inspired by football player Tom Brady, basketball player LeBron James and alpine skier Lindsey Vonn, who have all achieved success at the highest level in their sports after turning 40. The athlete said she plans to choose which races to participate in to stay close to her 7-year-old daughter Camryn and 2-year-old son Trey.
What is known about Allison Felix?
- American runner who specializes in short distances.
- The most decorated track and field athlete in Olympic history — with seven gold, three silver, and one bronze medals. Four-time Diamond League finalist — three times in the 200m and once in the 400m.
- 14-time world champion: 10 of them gold medals in relays, three wins in the 200 m and once in the 400 m. Also has three silver and three bronze medals. Winner of the 2010 World Indoor Championships in the 4×400 m relay.
- She is among the top 10 fastest 200-meter runners in history with a time of 21.69 seconds, which she set at the Olympic Games in July 2012.
- Felix also advocates for the right of professional athletes to have children without fear of losing their sponsorship contracts during a period of inactivity. The athlete helped the IOC change its policy on childcare payments for professional athletes after pregnancy. Felix also has her own brand of women's shoes, Saysh.
- During Barack Obama's presidency, Felix was a member of the President's Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition, an advisory committee that created physical activity and nutrition programs for a healthy lifestyle.