The first time I saw Allyson Felix was during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. All the athletes being showcased on the track were stretching in preparation to race in the Women’s 400 meter semifinals. The camera zoomed in on Felix’s face and the host proceeded to discuss the gravity of this moment. Allyson Felix was competing for a medal as she always did, but this time the medal would serve another purpose, which was to be an inspiration for her daughter and many daughters and women out there as well. Felix gave birth to her daughter at the age of 32, at a time where many would claim that she was at the peak of her running career. Yet, numerous people believed that after her pregnancy she would not be able to make a comeback because after you give birth to a child, of course, priorities begin to change. A common perception that exists amongst women is that after you give birth, your body will never be the same again. Yet, she proved the entire world wrong and helped many women who go through post-partum realize their body’s potential through extensive training for the Olympics. Her bronze medal in the women’s 400 meter and her gold in the 4×400 meter relay is an attestation to that message. This journey itself served as an inspiration for me, however, there are other reasons why Allyson Felix is a role model for women across all demographics.
GRANTS FOR ATHLETES WITH CHILDREN
As a mother, Felix understands the difficulties that come with being both a mother and an athlete, so as a result she decided to partner with Athleta and Women’s Sports Foundation to assist fellow athletes who are mothers with their child care expenses. This grant alleviates the stress that is imposed on female athletes who have to choose between their career and fulfilling their dreams of extending their family.
AN ACTIVIST FOR PREGNANT FEMALE ATHLETES
For the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Felix did not have a sponsor for her racing spikes. She decided to create her own brand called “Saysh”, which was dedicated to creating shoes for all women, regardless if you were an athlete or not. As Felix’s instagram post states, “This brand represents hope, acceptance, and the power to create change”, and it is a way for her to show that pregnant athletes deserve better quality of care and benefits from their sponsors in order to be successful.