Last week, Allyson Felix became the most decorated woman in track and field Olympic history when she earned her 10th medal in the 400m race. On Saturday, Felix became the most decorated U.S. athlete in track and field history after winning her 11th Olympic medal in the 4×400-meter relay.
The win for Team USA allowed Felix to surpass a record set by Carl Lewis for most medals in U.S. track and field history. Paavo Nurmi of Finland, who won 12 medals during his career, holds the all-time record.
“For me, I just came out really at peace and wanting to soak it all in,” Felix said. “I think this is a really special team because we’re not 400-meter runners — I don’t consider myself a 400-meter specialist. We all do different things, and it was really cool to come together to get to close out the Olympic Games and, for me, my Olympic career in this way.”
Felix plans to retire before the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, which means Tokyo was her final Olympic appearance.
The United States led the event from start to finish. Sydney McLaughlin, the world record holder in the 400-meter hurdles, kicked off the race and was followed by Felix, who kept up the advantage. Dalilah Muhammad, a silver medalist in the hurdles, followed Felix and Athing Mu, a gold medalist in the 800-meter run, closed it out.
