Track and field star Allyson Felix has officially retired from the sport after an 18-year career.
The 36-year-old ran her final competitive lap on Friday at Hayward Field on the inaugural night of the 18th Track and Field World Championships. Felix secured the bronze medal for the U.S. by running the second leg of a mixed 4×400-meter relay.
Following the race, Felix told NBC Sports it’d been “an emotional day” as she bid farewell to a sport that she excelled in since age 18.
“There was a point, earlier today, where I just started breaking down,” she revealed. The most decorated track and field athlete says she was overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and people expressing what she means to the sport.
Originally announcing her retirement in April, Felix voiced that she wanted to advocate for women’s rights in sports. After Nike slashed her endorsement pay following the birth of her daughter in 2018, Felix began speaking out for mothers in sports and adequate childcare.
Throughout her illustrious career, Felix has secured 29 Olympic or world outdoor championships medals, 20 of which are gold. At age 35, she became the oldest U.S. woman to earn an Olympic track and field medal and the first runner to achieve an individual track and field medal at five fully attended Olympics.
Following her final race, Felix shared an inspirational message on Instagram under a photograph of her sporting her many medals.
“Take small steps toward your passion, and you’ll end up in your purpose,” she wrote.
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