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Allyson Felix Aims 2028 Olympics at 42

4/29/2026

24 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

Allyson Felix Targets 2028

Allyson Felix announced she will try to qualify for the 2028 Olympics.
She will be 42 at Games, which would make her the first American sprinter in her 40s.
Felix began planning return last year and will start training in October.
She cited Tom Brady, LeBron James and Lindsey Vonn as success stories.
She will compete for an Olympic berth against Sha’Carri Richardson, Melissa Jefferson-Wooden, Gabby Thomas and U.S. sprinters.

Summary

Felix Joins IOC

Felix became an International Olympic Committee member in 2024 after joining its Athletes’ Commission in 2022.
She co-founded Saysh, a women’s footwear and apparel brand, after ending a Nike sponsorship dispute.
Felix was inducted into the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Hall of Fame in 2025, honoring her achievements.
She serves on the LA28 Organizing Committee’s Athletes’ Commission, shaping athlete services and Games planning.

Summary

Felix Returns

Felix announced her comeback as a “live experiment in human potential,” arguing women should not “slow down” after 40.
She linked the return to maternity protections and was praised by Serena Williams, Lindsey Vonn and World Athletics.
Felix outlined a training timeline in the “Project Six” pitch deck while planning to balance elite training with caring for her seven- and two-year-old children and limit competition.

History

Historical Context

At the 2008 Beijing Games, 41-year-old American swimmer Dara Torres returned after an eight-year break to win three silver medals, including a 2.00-second split in the 4×100 m freestyle relay that helped the U.S. team edge Germany by three points. Her historic comeback inspired athletes such as heptathlete Mark-Baird to plan returns, highlighting a growing trend of veteran competitors challenging age expectations.

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Allyson Felix Targets 2028

Allyson Felix announced she will try to qualify for the 2028 Olympics.
She will be 42 at Games, which would make her the first American sprinter in her 40s.
Felix began planning return last year and will start training in October.
She cited Tom Brady, LeBron James and Lindsey Vonn as success stories.
She will compete for an Olympic berth against Sha’Carri Richardson, Melissa Jefferson-Wooden, Gabby Thomas and U.S. sprinters.

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