Allyson Felix

Quick Facts

• Specialty: 100-meter, 200m and 400m sprints

Biographical Information

Allyson Felix is a track and field Olympian with a record-breaking history and countless medals. Recognized for her influence beyond the track, Felix was named one of Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People twice, in 2020 and 2021.

Felix retired after clinching her last world championship gold in Eugene 2022. She is actively involved in initiatives like Project Believe, a voluntary drug testing program aimed at supporting clean athletes. 

Felix's commitment to health and fitness extends to her previous role on the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition during the Obama administration, where she championed healthy living across all age groups. As a Sports Diplomacy envoy for the U.S. Department of State, she represented her country in Brazil, using sports as a tool for diplomacy and cultural exchange.

Felix became a catalyst for change within the sports industry when she publicly challenged Nike's policy on pregnancy disclosure. She advocated for improved maternity protections for athletes, prompting Nike to revise its policies. This positive change led to her launch Saysh, her brand of footwear designed to empower female athletes.

Olympic Highlights

Felix’s journey began at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games, where she won a silver medal in the 200m event. At the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, she secured a gold medal in the 4x400m relay and a silver medal in the 200m event.

At the London 2012 Olympic Games, Felix won her first individual Olympic gold in the 200m event. She also played a crucial role in the U.S. team's victories in the 4x100m and 4x400m relay events, bringing her total gold medal count for the Games to three.

At the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, Felix continued her winning streak with gold medals in the 4x100m and 4x400m relay events, along with a silver medal in the 400m event. 

Her performance at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games was equally impressive, as she won a gold medal in the 4x400m relay and a bronze medal in the 400m event. 

World Championship Highlights

Felix won her first world title in Helsinki in 2005 at just 19 years old. She continued her world championship career by winning medals in the 200m and the 4x100m relay. Overall, she earned a record of 20 world championship medals.  

U.S. Championship Highlights

One of Felix’s best events proved to be the USATF Outdoor Championships, with her claiming the title in the 200m years 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011 and 2012 and the 400m championship in the years 2012, 2016 and 2019.

Early Career

Felix attended Los Angeles Baptist High School and earned a scholarship to the University of Southern California, sponsored by Adidas. She finished 7th at the CIF California State Meet and went on to dominate the meet with five wins in subsequent seasons.

She captured her first international title in 2001, winning the 100m at the Debrecan World Youth Championships. She continued to gain recognition and was named the High School Athlete of the Year by Track and Field News in 2003.

That same year, Felix made waves at the U.S. Indoor Track & Field Championships, securing second place in the 200m event. Notably, she clocked 22.11 seconds in Mexico City in front of 50,000 spectators.

Olympic Experience

• 5-time Olympian; 11-time Olympic medalist (7 gold, 3 silver, 1 bronze)
  • Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, gold (4 x 400m Relay - Women), bronze (400m - Women)
  • Olympic Games Rio de Janeiro 2016, gold (4 x 100m Relay - Women, 4 x 400m Relay - Women), silver (400m - Women)
  • Olympic Games London 2012, gold (200m - Women, 4 x 100m Relay - Women, 4 x 400m Relay - Women), 5th (100m - Women)
  • Olympic Games Beijing 2008, gold (4 x 400m Relay - Women), silver (200m - Women)
  • Olympic Games Athens 2004, silver (200m - Women)

World Championship Experience

• Most recent: 2022 – gold (4 x 400m Relay - Women), bronze (4 x 400m Relay - Mixed)
• Years of participation: 4 x 400m Relay - Mixed 2019, 2022; 4 x 400m Relay - Women 2007, 2009, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2022; 4 x 100m Relay - Women 2007, 2015, 2017; 400m - Women 2015, 2017; 4 x 400m Relay (Indoor) - Women 2010; 200m - Women 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009
• Medals: 17 (13 gold, 2 silver, 2 bronze)
  • Gold – 2022 (4 x 400m Relay - Women); 2019 (4 x 400m Relay - Mixed, 4 x 400m Relay - Women); 2017 (4 x 100m Relay - Women, 4 x 400m Relay - Women); 2015 (400m - Women); 2010 (4 x 400m Relay (Indoor) - Women); 2009 (200m - Women, 4 x 400m Relay - Women); 2007 (200m - Women, 4 x 100m Relay - Women, 4 x 400m Relay - Women); 2005 (200m - Women)
  • Silver – 2015 (4 x 100m Relay - Women, 4 x 400m Relay - Women)
  • Bronze – 2022 (4 x 400m Relay - Mixed); 2017 (400m - Women)