OMEGA Panel Discussion With Olympic Ambassadors Allyson Felix, Noah Lyles, Oksana Masters and Nathan Chen At The Planet Omega Exhibition Launch - Source: Getty — Allyson Felix opens up on the legacy that she hopes to leave behind. PHOTO: Getty Images

Allyson Felix makes her feelings known on the legacy that she hopes to leave behind

Modified Dec 16, 2024 19:57 GMT

Allyson Felix recently opened up about the legacy she hopes to leave behind. The 39-year-old is not just known for her contributions to track and field but also for founding her own shoe company, Saysh, designed for women, by women.

Recently, the retired American track and field star spoke about the legacy that she wanted to leave behind in a conversation with Maverick Carter. On SpringHill, Felix shared how she wants to be remembered as someone who fought for women, adding:

“I think fighting for women. Just, I think that's it. Like, I hope that people see what I've done and I've, I've wanted to make things better than when I came. And I think it boils down to that. Like, when I think about, you know, what I'll tell my daughter and what she sees, that's what I want her to think about, ‘like, it's not always about you. There's a bigger picture and you can be successful, but you can also help the next person up.’ And I hope that's, um, yeah, the legacy that I leave.” (beginning at 18:30)

In 2019, Allyson Felix decided to leave Nike after the company reportedly offered her 70% less than her usual pay due to her pregnancy, as stated by the American track star in an article published in the New York Times. Two years after the Nike controversy, the 14-time World Championships gold medalist made headlines as she launched her own show company, inspiring women across the world.

Felix, besides launching her new shoe brand, has been a strong advocate for Black maternal health and helped establish a family space at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

“I think it was a full-circle moment” - Allyson Felix reflects on her final race at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in 2021

Allyson Felix in the Women's 4 x 400m Relay Final at Tokyo Olympics (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Allyson Felix reflected on the significance of the final Olympic race of her career at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. In an interview with Olympics.com, she said:

“I really love my final race in Tokyo. It was really special. For me, it was much bigger than just running. It was all about overcoming adversity and being a mother, and I got to run in shoes that my company created. And I think it was a full-circle moment and so that one always sticks out as being very significant.” (starting at 0:31)

At the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, held in 2021, Felix won two medals, a gold in the 4x400m relay and a bronze in the 400m race, capping off her final Summer Olympics with an overall Olympic total of seven gold, three silver, and one bronze medal.