US sprinter and most embellished feminine Olympic athlete ever in observe and discipline, Allyson Felix, poses throughout a photograph session in Paris, on July 26, 2024. Allyson Felix is probably the most embellished observe and discipline athlete in historical past. With a report 20 World Championship medals and 11 medals on the Olympic Video games – together with seven golds – she ranks among the many sport’s greats. (Photograph by JOEL SAGET / AFP)
Allyson Felix might have lastly hung up her spikes after a glittering profession that spanned three many years and 5 Olympics, however the observe and discipline icon remains to be making her presence felt on the Paris Video games.
The 38-year-old American legend, probably the most embellished athlete in observe and discipline historical past, is the driving power behind the primary ever nursery arrange for athletes and their kids on the Olympic village.
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The world offers athletes with a child-friendly house to play and care for his or her kids, who usually are not allowed to stick with dad and mom within the village beneath Olympic guidelines.
It’s the newest initiative arising from Felix’s rising function as a ferocious advocate for gender equality and the rights of working moms.
Felix stated the thought of the nursery first got here to her as she juggled child-care duties whereas persevering with to compete on the highest degree after the start of daughter Camryn in 2018.
“That first yr of competitors, I took her in all places and it was actually difficult,” Felix informed AFP in an interview on Friday.
“It felt like loads of the issues weren’t in place. It was onerous being a mom, touring with an toddler and breastfeeding in several stadiums. Issues like washing bottles in lodges — it appeared prefer it wasn’t arrange for moms.”
Felix’s thought for a nursery gained momentum after she started working with the Worldwide Olympic Committee’s Athletes Fee in 2022.
“It was actually high of thoughts ‘How will we make issues higher for moms to have the ability to be on the high of their sport at these large competitions?’ And in order the Olympics had been upcoming, simply fascinated about the village it was one thing that I used to be in a position to carry up and it was very well obtained.
– Childcare barrier –
“And we received issues transferring. it’s a fantastic beginning place, and I want to develop it.”
Felix stated she hopes the amenities put in place in Paris turn out to be normal at main championships and conferences world wide.
“Childcare to me is a large barrier and I need it to essentially stay past the Olympics, to be standardized at main competitions,” she stated.
She would additionally prefer to see different assets made out there for moms aiming to return to competitors.
“Whether or not that’s having the ability to speak to somebody or, for funds to have the ability to have a companion or caregiver include you simply to type of extra sensible issues to make it simpler,” she stated.
Felix in the meantime admits she remains to be adjusting to life as a spectator on the Olympics after showing at each Video games between 2004 and 2021.
“It’s very weird,” she stated. “I used to be strolling by means of the village the opposite day and had this bizarre feeling like, I really feel like I must be preparing for a race.”
Felix in the meantime is hopeful that Gabby Thomas can recapture the Olympic 200m crown for the USA. No American lady has received gold within the occasion since Felix’s victory in London in 2012.
“I talked to her simply earlier than we got here out right here and I feel she’s in a extremely good spot,” Felix stated of Thomas.
“She appears very assured. And I feel her experiences have now helped her to the place she’s at. She’s wanting actually good. I anticipate good issues from her.”
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