After winning bronze in the 400-meter final on Friday, American sprinter Allyson Felix became the most decorated female Olympian in track and field history.
The 35-year-old finished third in the 400 meters dash. Shaunae Miller-Uibo of the Bahamas won gold, while Marileidy Paulino of the Dominican Republic grabbed silver.
Felix’s time of 49.46 seconds was only 0.26 seconds slower than Paulino’s and 1.10 seconds slower than Miller- Uibo’s, earning her a tenth medal and her first bronze. Her third-place finish broke a tie with Merlene Ottey of Jamaica for the most Olympic medals won by a female track athlete.
Having just recovered from a life-threatening pregnancy and childbirth two years ago, the bronze medal was a sweet victory for the legendary track star.
A year after making her debut for the United States at the 2004 Athens Games, Felix finished second in the 400-meter race at the United States track trials in Eugene, Oregon.
“I’m just proud of making it to this moment,” she said at the time. “There’s so much that’s gone into this. Many times, I wasn’t sure if it was possible. I’m just proud of fighting and making a way somehow.”
Camryn, Felix’s 2-year-old daughter, was born on Nov. 28, 2018, weighing 3 pounds, 7 ounces, and spent her first weeks in the neonatal intensive care unit. Felix had an emergency cesarean delivery at 32 weeks of pregnancy.
Camryn Ferguson was on hand at the University of Oregon’s Hayward Field, nestled in the arms of her father and Felix’s sprinting husband, Kenneth Ferguson.
Felix told NBC Nightly News Lester Holt on Thursday that her Olympic trip has been “incredible” ahead of the women’s individual 400-meter final.
“This is so much bigger than running fast,” she said. “It’s showing women that we can be present at home and we can also thrive in our professions.”
Felix is likely to race in the 4×400-meter relay on Saturday, which the United States is anticipated to win. Felix would become the most decorated American Olympian in track and field if the team finishes on the podium, surpassing Carl Lewis as the most decorated American Olympian in track and field.
