Allyson Felix didn’t come this far to only come this far.
After walking away from a 5-Games, 11-medal career, the motherhood trailblazer and most decorated track & field athlete in Olympic history is returning for one final showdown for the 2028 LA28 Games.
It isn’t just a comeback; it’s a ‘thank you’ to the hometown that made her.
“When I was competing, you just heard this roar for host-country athletes at the Olympics,” the forty-year-old told Time magazine after she announced her decision. “I would love to experience that.”
Felix won medals at five consecutive Summer Olympics from 2004 to 2020 before she retired in 2022. During her career, she earned seven gold medals, which included four in the 4X400-meter relay (from 2008 to 2020), two in the 4X100-meter relay (in 2012 and 2016), and one in the individual 200-meter race at the 2012 London Games. Additionally, she has two silver medals in the 200-meter (in 2004 and 2008) and one silver and one bronze in the 400-meter (in 2016 and 2020).
When the Los Angeles Olympics take place, Felix, now 40, will be just a few months shy of her 43rd birthday if she snags a spot on the team. She mentioned to Time that she feels motivated by many recent top athletes who have managed to compete at a high level into their 40s, like LeBron James, Michael Jordan and Serena Williams.
“You know, at this age, I should probably be staying home and taking care of my kids, doing all that,” she said. “And just, why not? Let’s flip it on its head. Let’s go after the thing. Let’s be vulnerable.”
In the fast-paced world of sprinting, reaching your prime in your 40s is a rarity that few athletes can pull off. Legends like Merlene Ottey competed at age 44 in the 2004 Games where she not only showed an incredible display of longevity in the sport but also managed to advance to the semifinals after transitioning from Jamaica, known for its fierce sprinting competition. This is no small feat, especially considering that Felix, a homegrown talent from the U.S., faces the uphill battle of thriving in a country that dominates the track-and-field arena. With the U.S. consistently fielding a formidable roster of sprinters, the stakes are incredibly high, and the pressure to perform can be intense.
Still, the veteran sprint queen is up to the task. She and her coach, the great Bobby Kersee, are gearing up for a fresh chapter in her athletic career. They plan to kick off full training this October with an eye on making a comeback to competition by 2027. While the excitement of the track is palpable, she isn’t looking to dive headfirst into the global scene, opting instead for a more measured approach to her participation in events. With the track and field trials for the L.A. Olympics set to start on July 15, 2028, the timeline is tight but achievable because it allows her to focus on quality over quantity as she prepares for what promises to be a thrilling return to the sport. It’s all about finding that balance and with Kersee’s guidance, she’s confident in her unique path back to the track.
Felix has also launched a new website, moreinus.com, dedicated to her highly anticipated return to the track. The site promises to offer an “unfiltered version” of her journey, inviting fans and followers to join her on what she describes as “the real experiment, in real time.” This isn’t just another polished social media account, however; it’s a candid look at her life from a woman who feels she has nothing left to prove and everything left to discover.
By sharing her authentic experiences, Felix aims to connect with her audience on a deeper level, while sharing the highs and lows of her personal quest in a way that feels refreshingly genuine. Whether you’re a long-time supporter or just curious about her story, the site is sure to be a wonderful space where her explorative spirit and grit take center stage.
