Allyson Fleix retired after the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 with 11 Olympic medals, but the Los Angeles native is keen to return to track and field in the hope of performing at a home Games and the sixth of her storied career
Last Updated: 27/04/26 11:13pm
Allyson Felix has won 11 Olympic medals for the USA, including seven golds
Allyson Felix, the most decorated female track and field athlete of all time, is to come out of retirement in the hope of competing at Los Angeles 2028, when she’ll be 42 years old.
The seven-time Olympic gold medalist is a Los Angeles native and LA28 would be the sixth Games of her career if she were to qualify.
Felix retired after the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 with 11 Olympic medals, but has said the chance to compete at a home Games is too great an opportunity to ignore.
“So many of us have been told not to do the big, bold thing,” Felix said in an interview with TIME magazine. “You know, at this age, I should probably be staying home and taking care of my kids, doing all that.
“And just, why not? Let’s flip it on its head. Let’s go after the thing. Let’s be vulnerable.”
Felix added: “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.”
Felix’s place at the Los Angeles Games is not guaranteed. She would first have to navigate the highly competitive US track and field qualification system
