via Reuters
Tokyo 2020 Olympics – Athletics – Women’s 400m – Semifinal – Olympic Stadium, Tokyo, Japan – August 4, 2021. Stephenie McPherson of Jamaica reacts after winning the race with second place Allyson Felix of the United States REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach
via Reuters
Tokyo 2020 Olympics – Athletics – Women’s 400m – Semifinal – Olympic Stadium, Tokyo, Japan – August 4, 2021. Stephenie McPherson of Jamaica reacts after winning the race with second place Allyson Felix of the United States REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach
Allyson Felix is on the verge of bringing her astounding career to a close with a 10th Olympic Medal since first taking part in 2004.
The?35-year-old ties Carl Lewis for the most Olympic medals among all American track and field athletes. With this bronze medal, she overcame a tie with Jamaican Merlene Ottey for the most decorated woman in Olympic track and field history. Ottey had three silver and six bronze medals.?
Felix is competing in her fifth Olympics and has won 10 medals. She first competed in the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens and has won medals in every Summer Games since then. Felix’s timing of 49.46 seconds on Friday was the second-fastest of her career. Truly astonishing to see her perform with the same effectiveness as the prime of her career.
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via Reuters
Tokyo 2020 Olympics – Athletics – Women’s 400m – Semifinal – Olympic Stadium, Tokyo, Japan – August 4, 2021. Allyson Felix of the United States reacts after finishing second place REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach
However, defending Olympic champion Shaunae Miller-Uibo repeated her feat in a personal best 48.36 to give the Bahamas a clean sweep of both women’s and men’s 400m. This victory followed her compatriot Steven Gardiner’s triumph in the men’s 400m on Thursday.
Twitter Reacts to Allyson Felix’s victory
Twitter erupted as the veteran star athlete finished her final individual race in the Tokyo Olympics. Since she now intends to retire, this record will remain tied. Unless she wins a team medal in the 4x400m relay scheduled for tomorrow.
Felix writes her name alongside the most decorated athlete in the history of the U.S Track and Field representation in the Olympics, Carl Lewis. Following this, Carl personally took to Twitter to congratulate Felix on this tremendous achievement.
Congratulations @allysonfelix. 35 never looked so good. What an amazing career and inspiration. Now on to the relay.
— Carl Lewis (@Carl_Lewis) August 6, 2021
The kind of tweets that were posted after her bronze medal win is a testament to her legacy. Felix has taught the value of hard work and consistency to many future generations of athletes.
Allyson Felix. That’s it, that the tweet. pic.twitter.com/Ocy5Jwwvh0
— Kari (@SneakerPhetish) August 6, 2021
Felix has always been a strong proponent of feminism and equality. Consequently, her actions stand as a true statement of the fact that her legacy is much more than her medals.
Bravo Allyson Felix! You amaze us! Thank you for all your hard work, dedication and love of the sport. That's all that matters…that you love what you do, medals or not.
— FYI (@NotationTrue) August 6, 2021
Additionally, several former Olympians also took to Twitter to showcase their support to their former competitor.
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You’re a true exemple of women power. Congrats on winning your 10th Olympic Medal. I’m so proud of you Alyson @allysonfelix . pic.twitter.com/T530MNDmhc
— Hicham El Guerrouj هشام الگروج (@elguerrouj32600) August 6, 2021
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Not much to say other than @allysonfelix is the greatest, and her legacy is so much bigger than the record amount of medals she has around her neck.
— Kara Goucher (@karagoucher) August 6, 2021
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Considering that Felix’s talent seems generational, one would be lucky to witness another athlete like her. Finally, Felix will make her last attempt at breaking Lewis’ record. This attempt will come in the 4x400m relay race scheduled for tomorrow. Will Felix be able to break the record? Irrespective of what happens, Felix has definitely written her name in the history books of the Olympics.
