Allyson Felix is heading to her fifth Olympic Games

EUGENE, Ore. – Allyson Felix, at the age of 35, stormed past two of her competitors in the women’s 400 meters Sunday to finish second and earn a spot on her fifth Olympic team.

She rounded the final curve of the race in fifth place, and the Hayward Field crowd roared as Felix had a picture perfect finish, crossing in 50.02, .01 ahead of third place.

Felix became just one of six American women to ever be a part of five different Olympic track and field teams. She will be the only U.S. 400m Olympic veteran making an appearance for the women’s team this year – she will be competing alongside teammates Quanera Hayes, who won in 49.78, and third-place finisher Wadeline Jonathas, who ran 50.03.

Apart from her nine Olympic medals, six gold, which have given her superstar status, Felix has become prominent beyond the track as an advocate for the support of female athletes throughout pregnancy and motherhood.

“I am proud of making it to this moment,” she said. “There has been so much that has gone into this, and many times I wasn’t sure it was gonna be possible.”

Felix is less than three years removed from giving birth to her daughter, Camryn, via C-section due to the potential of life-threatening complications. Since then, Felix said, she has battled mental and physical struggles.

“There were a lot of moments, especially giving birth, all the health complications we had, I really wasn't sure,” she said. “It seemed like I was getting hit with thing after thing.”

On Sunday night, Camryn was in the Hayward grandstands, cheering her mom on. Having her family, especially her daughter, in Eugene for the trials has made this week more special for Felix.

“Obviously she can’t understand everything that's gone on for the past couple of years, but I just can't wait to share this story with her -- about how she's been my driving force,” Felix said.

Beyond recovering from the C-section and returning to training, Felix has fought through sponsorship battles related to her pregnancy and necessary time off. 

Following the race, Felix and her daughter – along with Hayes and her son – took a victory lap around Hayward Field, a journey Felix has taken numerous times.

“I think society tells us a lot of times you have a child and your best moments are behind you,” Felix said. “But that's absolutely not the case.”

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