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Allyson Felix, who launched a nursery for young mothers at the Paris Olympics, has opened up on the difficulties of motherhood, and the programmes she has in mind to make life easier for expectant athletes
American sprint legend Allyson Felix, now a mother of two, continues to champion the rights of female athletes navigating the complexities of pregnancy and motherhood.
In a recent interview with BBC World Service, the Olympic icon revealed the most significant challenge she is striving to address—finding better solutions to help female athletes manage their careers while raising children.
“There is a huge barrier to re-enter the sport and figure out traveling the world while wondering who will take care of your child,” Felix explained. “It’s hard enough as a woman who has had a child to come back.”
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18:50 - 04.04.2024
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Felix’s advocacy stems from personal experience. At Tokyo 2020, she competed after giving birth to her daughter Camryn, who was delivered prematurely due to health complications. Her journey back to the track was challenging but inspired her to push for greater support for athlete mothers.
At Paris 2024, Felix’s efforts came to fruition as she helped establish a first-of-its-kind nursery at the Olympic Village, a major step toward accommodating competing mothers.
The initiative supported over ten mothers who medaled at the Games.
Felix’s influence extends beyond the track. She was instrumental in pressuring Nike to revise its policies for pregnant athletes, securing an 18-month allowance for female athletes on contracts to continue receiving pay during pregnancy and postpartum recovery.
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However, her advocacy didn’t stop there. After parting ways with Nike due to a compensation dispute during her pregnancy, Felix launched Saysh, a shoe company she co-founded with her brother, Wes Felix, in 2021. More than a business venture, Saysh was a statement of empowerment for women in sports.
Felix has also been vocal about the importance of allowing athletes the freedom to choose what’s best for their lives and careers when it comes to starting a family.
“My advice would be to go with what your heart’s desire is,” she said. “If it is your decision to have a child in the midst of your career, then do that. We are working really hard to support women who make that choice.
“If you want to put it off and it’s something you see down the line, then do that. And if it’s not your choice to be a mother at all, do that too. It’s about having the power to make those decisions yourself, in your own timing, and ensuring systems are in place to support that.”
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19:20 - 05.12.2024
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While Felix has already made significant strides, she acknowledges that more work remains to be done. From addressing logistical hurdles like childcare during international competitions to reshaping societal and corporate attitudes toward pregnant athletes, Felix is determined to continue breaking barriers.
“It’s hard mentally and physically, so to be able to take something off that plate is something I would want to do,” she added.
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