Allyson Felix is Championing Change for Athlete Moms at the Paris 2024 Olympics
Allyson Felix burst onto the international scene at 17, winning a silver medal in the 200m at the World Championships in Paris, France. Since then, the sprinter has won 20 World Championship medals and 11 Olympic medals, including seven golds, cementing her place as a legend in track and field history.
Felix announced her retirement from competitive athletics a couple of years ago. Still, the challenges she faced as an athlete mom ignited a passion within her to make a difference for other women in similar positions.
AP Photo
In 2018, when Felix became pregnant with her daughter, Camryn, she publicly criticized her sponsor, Nike, for its policy of reducing pay for pregnant athletes and those who recently had children.
Felix's op-ed in The New York Times brought widespread attention to the issue of maternity protections for female athletes and sparked a significant change. Nike subsequently announced a new maternity policy ensuring no performance-related salary reductions for 18 months around pregnancy, inspiring hope for better conditions for athlete moms.
As the 2024 Paris Olympics inch closer, Felix is ready to participate, but in an entirely different role.
In partnership with Pampers, Felix is unveiling the first-ever Pampers Nursery at the Athletes Village during the Paris Olympics. This nursery is not just a physical space but a symbol of support for athlete moms, offering a place where they can nurse, play with, and simply be with their babies away from the stress of competition, she discussed with CBS.
“I just knew how difficult it was to compete at the top level after I had my daughter, and some practical things were really hard,” Felix told CBS. “And so when I joined the Athletes Commission of the IOC, I really wanted to be that voice for athlete moms and just take away one less thing for them to worry about in the pressure of competition.”
Felix believes this initiative will help mothers stay at the peak of their game without compromising their role as parents.
“I think it really tells women that you can choose motherhood and also be at the top of your game and not have to miss a beat,” she told CBS.”
Felix’s advocacy for maternal health is widespread. She is also working for Black women who face disproportionate challenges. Her efforts caught the attention of Melinda French Gates, resulting in a $20 million grant to support Black maternal health initiatives. Felix was both surprised and deeply moved by this recognition. “I'm so humbled to receive it, and I'm excited to put the money to good work,” she told CBS.
Felix’s initiative shows us that the Olympics are not just about athletic excellence but also about the human stories and struggles that unfold behind the scenes. It is also a gentle reminder that women never need to choose between motherhood and their career. No woman should have to give up either to excel in the other role, just like no man has to.