Allyson Felix, the most decorated female track and field athlete in Olympic history, has announced her intention to return to competition at the age of 40, targeting the 2028 Los Angeles Games for what would be her sixth Olympic appearance.
The 11-time Olympic medalist, who last competed at the 2022 World Championships and gave birth to her second child in 2024, said the opportunity to compete in her hometown was irresistible.
"This is a once-in-a-lifetime homecoming. And it is the only thing powerful enough to pull me back," Felix told Time magazine.
Felix's Olympic resume is unmatched among American women: she earned her only individual gold in the 200m at London 2012, anchored the 4x400m relay to victory at every Games from 2008 to 2020, and won 4x100m relay titles in 2012 and 2016. She also collected silver in the 200m in 2004 and 2008, plus a silver and bronze in the 400m in Rio and Tokyo, respectively.
At the World Championships, she holds a record 20 medals, 14 of them gold.
After attending the Paris 2024 Olympics as a spectator, Felix experienced "mixed emotions."
"There were moments where I was like, 'Oh, this is so great. It's so exciting to be in the stands and on the other side.' And then there were moments where I was, 'You know, I miss this feeling'," she said.
A member of the LA28 athletes' commission, Felix is realistic about her chances but determined to try.
"I know, at 40, I am not at my peak. I have no illusions about that. I'm very clear in what it is and what I want to see. And so I hope it's seen that way," she added.
Felix, who also has a daughter born in 2018, reflected on the unique energy of a home Olympics.
"When I was competing, you just heard this roar for host-country athletes at the Olympics. I would love to experience that. I would probably be upset at myself if I just didn't give it a try. However it turns out, I'll still be there with my kids, hanging out and cheering everybody on."