Without reservation, Allyson Felix is the best track and field star ever to represent the United States. Her remarkable career ended in Eugene, Oregon, at the World Championships, where she finished with a bronze medal. In this case, Team USA finished third in the mixed 4×400 meter relay behind the Dominican Republic (Gold) and the Netherlands (Silver).
It’s important to note that Felix entered the mixed relay after failing to qualify for the worlds in an individual race. After her final race, she said that the love was felt, and had joy running one last time:
“I felt the love.”. “And I felt joy running tonight.”
For Felix, it was her 19th medal at the World Championships, a record she already owed. What’s more, it was her 30th medal, including the 11 she won in the five Olympic games she competed in. When looking at her 30 career medals, 20 of them, or two-thirds, were gold—a record for the most combined Olympic and world titles in the sport.
— Allyson Felix (@allysonfelix) July 16, 2022
In 2003, she made her debut at the World Championships following her graduation from Los Angeles Baptist High School. Felix went 18 years between her first and final global championships medals.
Felix and her Olympic career
As noted, she competed in five Olympics, starting with the 2004 Games in Athens, where she won silver. Next, she took home her first gold in the 4×400 meter relay while getting silver in the 200-meter in Beijing in 2008. The 2012 Games in London were golden as Felix won three golds: 200-meter, 4×100-meter relay and 4×400-meter relay. She also took home two more golds and another silver in Rio de Janeiro four years later.
Lastly, Felix ended her Olympic career with a bronze in another gold in the 4×400-meter relay in Tokyo 2020. In total, her 11 Olympic medals make her the most decorated U.S. track athlete in Olympic history.
From a teenage phenom to the most decorated in history. 👑@allysonfelix competes at her final major championships. #ThankYouAllyson pic.twitter.com/wQCWlrtO8d
— Team USA (@TeamUSA) July 16, 2022
In summary, we’ve seen amazing female American track stars in Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Florence Griffith-Joyner and Marion Jones. All things considered, add Felix as an all-time great on the track, as her records could stand for some time. Congratulations on an amazing career.
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