August- Allyson Felix
“When I was younger, I don’t think I ever thought about making a final.
It’s a humbling experience, but it’s also very rewarding to see the progress.”
-allyson felix
Influencer. Go-GETTER. Role Model
I remember seeing Allyson first running in the 2004 olympics. From a person who ran mid-distance and the 1600m in middle and high school, I always looked up to Allyson who could sprint the 200m and 400m and destroy the 4×400 relay race. Allyson was probably in her early twenties or late teens, but one thing about her, is that she knew how to run a race. Now at 35, it was bittersweet to see her run her last races as an Olympian, as she has many endeavors to look up to, including her beautiful daughter Camryn.
“I had to go through challenges in the fight.
I’m absolutely where I’m supposed to be.
You know, sometimes I think you just have to fight through it.”
-allyson felix
Allyson Felix is now the most decorated track & field athlete, passing Carl Lewis by receiving her 11th medal, which happened to be gold, after securing first place with her 4x400m relay with her teammates Sydney McLaughlin, Dalilah Muhammad and Athing Mu on a personal best time of 3:16.85. To watch that race was electrifying. One minute I’m in my seat screaming and the next, I’m jumping up and down and shouting for joy at the television screen. Allyson Felix receives another medal to become the most decorated track & field athlete. What a race! What an honor! Tears of joy came streaming down my eyes because I understood and knew the plight Allyson took to be in these Olympics to continue to receive her medals.
And yet, she PERSEVERED.
One word that describes Allyson’s movements is ‘equity’. Her actions speak about equity into its entirety. Allyson went through a trying pregnancy and birth of her daughter Camryn, who had to stay in the NICU for some time after birth. Alyson wanted to show her daughter that she can do anything as she fought to be back on the grand stage of track & field. Allyson even cut ties with former endorser Nike, who wanted to cut her endorsement compensation substantially when she became pregnant. She went on to collaborate with Saysh for a runner shoe that she would eventually use in the Tokyo olympics. Saysh is a community-centered lifestyle brand that creates products for, and by, women, which Allyson Felix found. Along this journey, Allyson has become a vocal advocate for new moms and athletes, where she even spoke before congress about Black maternal mortality. I consider Allyson Felix to be an inspiration in showing that no parameter shall define you. She fought hard, yet she persevered.
“So when you see me on the track I hope you understand my fight. As an athlete who was told I was too old, as a woman who was told to know my place, as a mother who wasn’t sure I would live to raise my daughter. I hope you see that for me, it’s about so much more than what the clock says.”
-ALLYSON FELIX, 2021
To follow Allyson Felix on social media:
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Twitter & Instagram: @allysonfelix
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Citations
Get OUT. Get UP. Be INSPIRED. 