Allyson Felix signs off from Tokyo as most decorated US track and field athlete in Olympics

Sprinting into the history books, Allyson Felix on Saturday won gold in the women’s 400m sprint relay for the United States in Tokyo, extending her Olympic medal tally to 11, including seven golds.

With the feat, Felix overtook sprint legend Carl Lewis’ haul of 10 medals. She remains one short of Finland’s Paavo Nurmi all-time track and field record of 12 medals.

The US team of Felix, Sydney McLaughlin, Dalilah Muhammad and Athing Mu stormed away to victory, with Poland taking home the silver with a national record and Jamaica securing the bronze.

By the time the Jamaicans finished the race, the US women were already high-fiving in celebration.

“The first was a very, very long time ago [in Athens 2004] when everything was new,” the 35-year-old Felix said, according to reporters. “And this one everything is different but in a good way. I am so pleased it was running with these amazing women.”

Earlier in Tokyo, the 35-year-old conquered a bronze medal in the women’s 400-metre final. Felix finished third in the 400m race behind Shaunae Miller-Uibo of the Bahamas, the gold medal winner and Marileidy Paulino of the Dominican Republic.

But her journey to Tokyo 2020 has been one filled with hurdles. In November 2018, she struggled with preeclampsia and had an emergency C-section at 32 weeks to deliver her daughter Camryn.

Also during the early phases of the pandemic in 2020, Felix, like many other athletes, was forced to adjust her training routine, practising on vacant soccer fields and beaches.

However, in particular, becoming a mom has aided Felix in finding her voice when it comes to speaking out against social injustice. Not only has an incredible athlete, but Felix has also become a role model for future generations for her social stands. 

“I’ve always had the desire to win […] now it’s really about the way that I want to show her how to overcome adversity,” she told CNN ahead of the Tokyo Olympics.

Allyson Felix made her debut at the multi-sport international event in Athens in 2004. She has won a medal every Summer Games since then.