World Athletics Championships 2022: Allyson Felix vows to give it all as 'incredible journey' nears end

During her stellar career, Felix established herself as the most decorated athlete, male or female person, having won eighteen world and 13 Olympic medals.

Allyson Felix is retiring after the World Championships in Eugene, Oregon. AP

Eugene: Allyson Felix volition bow out of athletics subsequently the earth championships in Eugene, Oregon, but the most decorated track star of all time vowed to exit it all out there as her "incredible journey" nears the end.

Felix, 36, has been a mainstay of the The states rail and field team, making five Olympics, while Eugene will mark her tenth world championships appearance.

During her stellar career, she established herself every bit the most decorated athlete, male person or female, having won 18 world and 13 Olympic medals.

Amongst that haul was Olympic 200m aureate in London in 2012, and three world titles over the same distance and some other over 400m.

"I hope that I'll be remembered equally a fierce competitor, but I think more chiefly to me is really trying to leave this sports improve than I constitute it," Felix told reporters in Eugene on Thursday.

"I'grand going to take information technology all in and have fun, leave it all out there. It's going to be really emotional," added Felix, who is role of the U.s.a.'s mixed relay squad.

"Information technology's been an incredible journey. I've really enjoyed my time over the years. There have been a lot of ups and downs. I love the sport so much, it's broken my heart many times but I've also had many really joyous moments."

Felix added: "For me information technology's completely full circumvolve to be able to come here and end at home, it'south going to be very, very special.

"I'g going to miss information technology so much only I can't recollect of a better way to go out than just with a heart full of gratitude and thankful for all the people who've supported me and the teams I've been on over the years."

Off-rail advocacy

While Felix's durability and form ensured she was an always-present in dominant US relay teams over the years, she has also won plaudits for her advocacy for gender equality.

Felix took office in last year's pandemic-delayed Tokyo Olympics, where she was function of the gilded medal-winning 4x400m relay team, three years after giving birth to daughter Camryn in 2018 after an emergency C-section.

She has since been a song advocate for the rights of working mothers and split with long-fourth dimension sponsors Nike in 2019 later criticising the sporting apparel giant for slashing her pay after she became pregnant.

Felix also teamed upwards with sponsor Athleta and non-profit group &Female parent — co-founded with two-fourth dimension earth champion Alysia Montano — to provide free child care to athletes, coaches and staff at the Us championships.

"The past three years have been the most challenging for sure and now equally I reflect on those years I can't believe that I made it through," Felix said, calling for a "holistic approach" to female athletes.

Her off-runway advancement was not lost on reigning men's earth 200m champion Noah Lyles, who made a gushing tribute to Felix.

Felix, Lyles explained, offset popped upwardly on his radar when he and his younger blood brother Josephus had watched her win gilded at the London Olympics.

"I was watching her and she's the fastest woman in the world," he said.

"I remember she ran 21 seconds, and at the time my personal best was 22 seconds and information technology was like 'dang, this woman'southward faster than me!'"

But Lyles too hailed Felix'due south handling of the media, her ability to switch events, going from the 200 to 400m, and her outspoken stance against Nike.

"She was going up against Nike, that's one person against a corporation!" he said.

"I don't think people understand how large Nike has an influence over the US.

"I hateful, there's a firm grasp, and for one Black woman to go up against that and speak their mind and speak for what they believe is right, even take the backbone to try, is something I feel immature peple should exist watching for years to come."

The world of athletics volition surely miss the presence of the erudite Felix, who offered upwards a return-to-nuts approach to increase the popularity of track and field in the United States where the sport is dwarfed by American football, basketball and baseball.

"We've got to become out there and actually keep kids engaged, enjoying the sport and having fun, and giving a product that'due south exciting..."

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Source: https://www.firstpost.com/sports/world-athletics-championships-2022-allyson-felix-vows-to-give-it-all-as-incredible-journey-nears-end-10913341.html#:~:text=During%20her%20stellar%20career%2C%20Felix,world%20and%2013%20Olympic%20medals.

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