Allyson Felix is attempting a comeback at the age of 40, which could give her a chance to add to her Olympic-record medal tally two years from now in Los Angeles.
Felix, a mother of two, told Time Magazine that she thought about coming back after nearly four years of leaving the job and decided: “Let’s go after this thing. Let’s be vulnerable.”
“You know, at this age, I should probably be staying home and taking care of my kids, doing all this stuff. And just, why not? Let’s turn it upside down,” she said.
Felix has won 11 Olympic medals – the most by any woman in track – and a record 20 medals at the World Championships.
She is a seven-time Olympic champion, including six in relays, and her only individual gold came in the 200 meters at the 2012 London Games.
Before retiring in 2022, she became a vocal advocate for athletes who have become mothers and wish to continue their careers.
Felix, who took up a position on the IOC Athletes Commission in retirement, has two children – 7-year-old Camryn and 2-year-old Trey.
She said she hopes to begin training full-time with her coach Bobby Kersey in October with the goal of competing in 2027. The Olympics will be held in his hometown a year later.
Felix said, “I completely understand the person who hangs around too long and you’re like, ‘What are they doing?'” “I know, at 40, I’m not in my prime. I have no illusions about that. I’m very clear about what it is and what I want to see. And so I hope it’s viewed that way.”
