American sprinter Allyson Felix, the most successful female athlete in history – Olympics and World Games combined – announced Wednesday, April 13, that she would play her final season this year, before finally hanging her points at 36. years.
The 200 and 400m specialist, seven-time Olympic champion, posted on Instagram:
When I was little, I was nicknamed “chicken thighs”. Never, in my wildest dreams, could I have imagined such a career. I am so thankful for this sport that changed my life. I gave everything I had for the race and for the first time I’m not sure if I have anything to give.
“I want to say goodbye and thank you for this sport and for the people who shaped me, in the only way I know: through one last round”continued the athlete, thirteen-time world champion.
Most Decorated Female Athlete in Olympic History
Allyson Felix, who won the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, his 10and and 11and Olympic medalists (gold at 4 × 400 m and bronze at 400 m), who become the female athlete with the most podium appearances, must participate in the Penn Relays on April 30 to run a 300 m there.
But his target appears to be focused on the World Athletics Championships to be held in Eugene, Oregon, in July, with the U.S. qualifiers for the imposed stage set to take place in the same spot at the end of June.
Felix is the most decorated female athlete in Olympic history, with eleven all-metal medals, the first at the 2004 Athens Games. She is also the most charmed athlete of each gender at the World Championship, 18 in total, including seven in individual events and 11 in relay.
ardent defender of mothers’ rights
Her last major competition dates back to the summer of 2021 at the Tokyo Olympics, three years after the birth of her daughter Camryn in 2018, who required a cesarean section, after just thirty-two weeks of pregnancy.
Her situation has since prompted her to become a staunch defender of working mothers’ rights, after breaking her contract with her gear supplier Nike in 2019, which cut her benefits during her pregnancy.
“This season I will run for women. I will run for a better future for my daughter. I will run for you”assured Felix. “This season it is not a matter of time, but of joy. If you see me on track this year, I hope to share with you a moment, a memory and my gratitude.”she concluded.
