Allyson Felix Comes Out of Retirement at 40, Eyeing LA 2028 Games

Olympic champion Allyson Felix, one of the greatest athletes in track and field history, has announced an end to her retirement, three years after stepping away, with the goal of competing in the 2028 Olympic Games, set to take place in her hometown of Los Angeles.

At 40 years old, the sprinter explained that the opportunity to compete on home soil was the decisive factor in her return. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime homecoming, and the only thing powerful enough to bring me back,” the American stated.

With an impressive record of 11 Olympic medals, including seven golds, Felix is an iconic figure in sports. Her career boasts a total of 31 podium finishes across the Olympic Games and World Championships. Her first Olympic medal was a silver in the 200 meters at Athens 2004.

Despite admitting that, as a mother of two, she isn't at the peak of her physical form, the athlete remains highly motivated. “I’d rather try than live with regret,” she explained. Felix's plan involves returning to official competitions in 2027, under the guidance of coach Bobby Kersee, to secure her qualification for the Los Angeles Games the following year.

Her first World Championship gold medal was won in Helsinki when she was just 19. The majority of her Olympic golds were earned in team events, notably four consecutive victories in the 4x400-meter relay (2008, 2012, 2016, and 2020) and two in the 4x100-meter relay (2012 and 2016). Individually, she claimed gold in the 200 meters in 2012, after earning silver in the same event in 2004 and 2008.