Allyson Felix, a legendary figure in track and field, has long been a vocal supporter of female athletes, especially when it comes to maternity rights. Her case challenging Nike’s maternity policies brought attention to structural problems in the sports sector. She recently got a boost from Bill Gates’ wife Melinda, who is also a philanthropist. The mother of equestrian Jennifer Gates promised to offer $20 million to Felix’s advocacy for women’s health and wellness.

Meanwhile, Melinda wasn’t the only one helping Felix’s in her journey. With a $30 million investment, Olympic athlete Michael Johnson’s idea of a revived track league has garnered significant traction. Michael Johnson highlighted the significance of the project for maternal health while applauding Gates’s support and Felix’s advocacy efforts.

Johnson tweeted, “Great to see Allyson Felix as one of the recipients of Melinda Gates’s $1 billion contribution to women’s health.” A $30 million investment from multiple investors significantly bolstered his proposal for a new track league, scheduled to debut in 2025. The goal of this venture, led by Winners Alliance, is to establish an athlete-centered league that is fan-focused.

However, Gates’s backing has a variety of effects. It not only offers financial support, but it also spreads Felix’s message throughout the world. This big donation is a part of Gates’s larger plan to provide $240 million to leaders and groups who support such initiatives. The value of Felix’s work and the continuous need for structural change in how female athletes are treated are highlighted by Gates’ support.

The news was revealed by Yashar Ali in a tweet, and Gates highlighted how crucial it is to stand by Felix and other leaders who significantly improve women’s health and welfare. Thus, with this financing, efforts to guarantee that female athletes are treated fairly during and after pregnancy will be supported, underscoring the necessity of comprehensive policies that promote women’s health. Since facing trouble during and after her pregnancy, Felix’s has come a long when it comes to advocating these rights.

Allyson Felix odds with Nike’s case

When Allyson Felix was pregnant in 2018 and discussed a contract renewal with Nike, her disagreement with the company started. Felix was one of the most recognized athletes in history, but Nike was willing to reduce her pay by 70%. The 3x world champion said, “What I’m not willing to accept is the enduring status quo around maternity,” arguing in favor of written agreements protecting expecting athletes. “I felt pressure to return to form as soon as possible after the birth of my daughter in November 2018, even though I ultimately had to undergo an emergency C-section at 32 weeks because of severe pre-eclampsia that threatened the lives of me and my baby,” she added.

When she and other athletes like Alysia Montano and Kara Goucher published their pregnancy stories and showed how sponsorships were at risk during and after pregnancy, the world became aware of her situation. Due to a larger public controversy and a congressional examination, Nike was forced to release a new maternity policy in August 2019. A major win for female athletes is the new regulation, which guarantees an athlete’s salary and bonuses for the 18 months around a pregnancy.

Felix continued to help women facing similar issues and fight for their rights. She persisted in advocating for improved precautions for the sector, persuading other sporting manufacturers to implement comparable maternity policies. Her efforts were not simply focused on herself; they also sought to establish a new standard for female athletes worldwide, enabling them to pursue their personal and professional ambitions without worrying about the consequences to their finances.