Allyson Felix Becomes The Most Decorated Track-And-Field Star In Olympic History With 11th Medal

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Allyson Felix Becomes The Most Decorated Track-And-Field Star In Olympic History With 11th Medal

She's a runner, she's a track star!

American track star Allyson Felix is now the most decorated female track-and-field athlete of all time. In her final race in the Olympics Games, she won her 11th Olympic medal in women's 4x400 relay, taking gold. A day earlier, she won bronze in the 400-m in Tokyo.

The 35-year-old ran the second leg along with Sydney McLaughlin, Dalilah Muhammad, and Athing Mu to finish in 3:16.85 seconds. U.S. took home the win by nearly 4 seconds over Poland (3:20.53). Jamaica (3:21.24) took bronze.

"I feel at peace," Felix told reporters. "I went out, had all the confidence in these amazing women. I wanted to take it all in one last time around, and it was special."

Felix passed Merlene Ottey of Jamaica for the most medals won by a woman in the sport. Felix has now surpassed Carol Lewis for the most medals won by an American track star. The Olympian and mom now has seven golds, three silver, one bronze to Lewis' nine golds and silver. Six of her medals have come from the 4x400 relay, which U.S. has won at every Olympics since the 1996 Atlanta Games.

"I was just honored," Muhammad said about running with the other women, especially Felix. "Of course she earned it, but she's so deserving of it too. I've just been inspired by her throughout my entire career."

She won the race wearing her new sneakers, which she launched after ending her partnership with Nike. As previously reported, Felix collaborated with Nike, appearing in promotions and donning their logo on her racing tops, shorts, and compression shin sleeves. In 2018, she spoke candidly about the tumultuous birthing experience that almost claimed the life of her and her daughter Camryn. She had to have an emergency c-section at 32 weeks. During her recovery time, Felix attempted to re-negotiate her contract with Nike. She advocated for maternal protection to ensure she wouldn't be penalized if she didn't do her very best during her first meet back. Nike refused to include that, offering Felix a 70 percent pay cut. She cut ties with Nike and broke her non-disclosure agreement to tell her story. 

During yesterdays race her win was even more memorable, seeing as she was regulated to Lane 9 due to her results in the semifinals. In this spot, she could not see any of the runners until reaching the homestretch, but she paced herself and, as she rounded the last bend in a face-off with McPherson, she sprinted past to third place. Felix ran past the finish line, collapsing on the ground with a smile and her name in the history books.

Felix, who plans to continue being. a voice for women and mothers in sport said she has no regrets and is looking forward to the future.

"I feel like I've given my all to this sport, and there's nothing left on this Olympic stage I need to do now," she said. "And now they're taking this into the future and it's in very good hands."

We love watching you win!

Photo Credit: David Ramos/Getty Images

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