Allyson Felix hasn’t hung up her spikes just yet. The American star has delayed her retirement from international competition to race in the preliminaries of the women’s 4×400-meter relay Saturday for the United States at the World Athletics Championships.
The 36-year-old, who was thought to have competed in her last worlds event during the mixed relay, was asked by coaches to return for Saturday’s relay.
“The coaches asked if I was available and there was no way I’d turn the team down,” Felix said via an email to the Associated Press.
😂😂 coach called and I had to jump on the plane https://t.co/z9LG9oSVVD— Allyson Felix (@allysonfelix) July 23, 2022
😂😂 coach called and I had to jump on the plane https://t.co/z9LG9oSVVD
After helping the U.S. to a bronze in 4×400 mixed relay, Felix attended the ESPYs award show in Los Angeles. “When I got the call, I locked in and refocused,” Felix said.
The most decorated sprinter in U.S. history, Felix now has the opportunity to add to her record 19 world championship medal haul.
Saturday will serve as an encore for Felix, with U.S. fans eager to see the star in her victory lap at Hayward Field.