Allyson Felix is a 2-time World Outdoor 200m champion ('05, '07); 2007 World Outdoor 4x100m and 4x400m gold medalist; 3-time USA Outdoor 200m champion (’04, ’05, '07); 2004 Olympic 200m silver medalist; World Junior record holder; 2004 USA junior champion; 2003 USA Indoor champion; 2003 Pan American Games bronze medalist; Five-time California state prep champion (three-time 100m, two-time 200m); 2001 World Youth 100m gold medalist.

“My brother ran track in high school and I’ve always kind of followed after my brother and just wanted to be just like him.  So he really got me into track and field and I kind of only came out because he did and after that I fell in love with it and was really passionate about it.  I thrive off competition. I love competing against the best women in the world, just knowing that that’s what I wanted to do really kept me motivated.

I had a great experience in Athens. It was amazing. I’ll never forget it. I just remember going into the opening ceremony and just remember how many people were there and all the different countries and I think I’ve learned just so much from it and I’ll never forget it.

My race in Athens went pretty much like any other race. My start wasn’t that great getting out and I think that’s where I lost a little bit of a time and then I came on pretty strong but it wasn’t quite enough to make up the difference.  I think as soon as I finished the race, I wasn’t sure how to take getting the silver. I think when you go into any race you go into it wanting to win. So it was definitely a little bit of a letdown but then my family quickly put me into perspective and I realize what I had accomplished so it was definitely a success.

The disappointment that I face is pretty much injuries and my faith really plays a part in that because I’m able to look at the bigger picture and know that God has a plan for my life and this is also a part of it.

I can’t imagine my life without knowing Jesus. I can’t imagine just waking up and going through my life without him so you know he is my life and that’s what I live for.”
Felix sees her running ability as a gift from God, "My faith is the reason I run - it calms my heart and makes everything feel like a lift. My speed is definitely a gift from Him, and I run for His glory. Whatever I do, He allows me to do it."
She has an extra edge on handling the pressure. “I pray a lot,” Felix says. “I always make time to spend in the Word, just talking to God. My speed is a gift from God, and I run for his glory. Whatever I do, it all comes from him.”
“To me, the Gospel message is Jesus being our saviour and dying on the cross for us and we don’t have to be lost, that we can come to him and he can save us and we can follow him and have a purpose in life.”