US Wunderkind Abby Steiner Reveals Olympic Champion as Her Role Model Ahead of 2022 World Championships

The World Athletics Championships 2022 are underway, and the hype for the games this year is off the charts. U.S. sprinting sensation Abby Steiner has qualified for the women?s 200-meter race, where she will go up against the biggest names in the event.

Recently, Steiner signed a professional contract with Puma and is making headlines for being a top contender in the saturated 200m event. In an interview, she opened up about her sprint role models.

Abby Steiner looks up to Olympic champion Allyson Felix

Talking to Athletics Weekly, the US 200m champion opened up about her latest achievements and her aim for the upcoming championships. She also dished on her role models in the sprinting world. And the first name on her lips was the most decorated track and field Olympian in U.S. history, Allyson Felix.

?Allyson Felix is a big one for me, just because of her consistency on the world stage. But also the things that she has been able to do for women and the lasting impact she?s made in this sport,? Steiner shared. ?She?s leaving it a better place than she came into. And I think that?s really what it?s all about, yeah.?

Until now, though, Steiner hasn?t encountered the seven-time Olympic champion in real life.??Unfortunately, I haven’t gotten to meet her face to face, so hopefully at these championships,??Steiner continued. Allyson Felix will compete in the mixed 4x400m relay.

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Earlier, Felix announced 2022 as the last season of her illustrious career. So, this will be the last time we see the champion on the track at a World Championship. She will compete on her home soil in Eugene, Oregon, and all eyes will be on the legendary sprinter.

Steiner to go up against a star-studded line-up

Abby Steiner qualified for the 200m events by setting the second-fastest time in the event this season. She ran the stretch in 21.77 seconds on June 26, taking the American title.

Now she?ll be facing the current world lead Shericka Jackson and the fastest woman alive, Elaine Thompson-Herah, at the World Championships. Also in the line-up are Olympic silver medalist Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, and reigning champion Dina Asher-Smith.

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Gabby Thomas misses out on the competition because of a hamstring injury, while Sha?Carri Richardson failed to qualify for the championships. Jamaican fans are hoping for a sweep of the podium with three of their top athletes competing in the event. Steiner will have to bring her A-game.