This Olympic legend’s going all in to save motherhood. The star has always been quite a character both inside and outside of the track. While she has been one of the most decorated female track and field stars, her work outside of it has been just as significant. And it all started with motherhood. Felix got into a spat with Nike back when she was registered with the sporting giants. During her pregnancy, Felix missed a significant amount of game time. Thus, Nike asked her to settle for a 70% pay cut. Startled by the offer, the Olympic legend refused to yield and set out on a journey for female advocacy. We are talking about none other than the legend, Allyson Felix!
After her falling out with Nike, Felix immediately joined Athleta. This was a company that focused more on women’s well-being. They also had perks that aligned perfectly with Felix’s needs at the time of her pregnancy. However, her own experience with Nike, coupled with her traumatic pregnancy, set Felix on a new course. Terrified by her complications during pregnancy, Felix soon started to advocate for maternal health.
While giving birth to her first child, a daughter, Camryn, Felix faced a situation of life and death. At about 32 weeks, the Olympic gold medalist was diagnosed with preeclampsia. This was a case of severely high blood pressure. Reminiscing about the horrific days, Felix recently opened up to Access Hollywood. “Yeah, I had a traumatic birth experience with my daughter, Cameron. She was born 2 months early, had a severe case of preeclampsia, and it just opened my eyes to the crisis that women of color are facing in America,” said Felix.
Thus, Felix stated that whenever she got a chance to help such athletes, she would jump in willingly. Felix then continued with her story of how she has been trying to help the women in sports. And thankfully, the Olympic legend thinks that the times are finally changing.
“We are making a jump. It’s so exciting. Women are finally getting what is so long overdue, and I’m just excited that the world is taking notice. There’s so much momentum,” said Felix. Surely, this was proved to be true with how the Olympic village in Paris had new facilities for female athletes. And not to mention, Allyson Felix sounded quite upbeat while speaking about them.
Allyson Felix sparks a quiet revolution for mothers at the Paris Olympics
In a quiet corner of the Olympic Village Plaza, a revolution was quietly unfolding—one not on the track or field, but in a cozy, welcoming nursery created for athletes who also happen to be parents. At the heart of it stood Allyson Felix, the most decorated woman in Olympic track history, now retired but still sprinting ahead for change.
“I’ve been hearing great feedback about the family space in the Village,” Felix shared during the Games. She added, “A lot of athletes, a lot of families have been using it. And I’m just so proud of it and so excited.” The first-of-its-kind nursery, which clocked 64 bookings during the Games, offered a much-needed refuge for mothers and fathers alike. Its purpose was simple: to feel at home.
This initiative wasn’t just about convenience—it was symbolic of a shifting culture in elite sport. Allyson Felix, who famously returned to win medals at Tokyo 2020 after a complicated pregnancy, has emerged as a powerful advocate for competing moms. “The culture is starting to shift,” she said, beaming with pride.
Felix also welcomed the milestone of gender parity at Paris 2024. “It’s so special to finally reach that,” she said. Her voice joins a growing chorus, demanding that women athletes—mothers or not—be seen, supported, and celebrated.
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