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“Wanted to Be a Teacher”: US Track Legend Allyson Felix Admits She Never Dreamed of Being an Olympian
Unlike many other athletes who dream about going to the Olympics, US sprinting legend, Allyson Felix never thought about it. Notably, Felix became the most decorated American athlete in 2021, as she won a record-breaking 11th medal.
The 35-year-old is not just an Olympian, but a mother and now a businesswoman too. Felix has been an idol for female athletes all around the world, with her unstoppable and incredible achievements.
Allyson started track and field to make friends
The American legend started her Olympic journey back in 2004, during the Athens Olympics. Recently, Allyson was invited to Tempo’s 16th annual Leadership Event, where she talked about her Olympic journey. Interestingly, she started track and field in school as her family pushed her to use it as a way to make friends.
When Allyson was asked if she ever wanted to be an Olympian, she had a shocking reply. Allyson said, “I absolutely did not. I have a different story than a lot of other Olympians. I started running track in high school. And so I literally (was starting at a) new school and my brother and my dad told me to go out for the track team to meet people, to find friends. And I did.”
TOKYO, JAPAN August 6: Allyson Felix of the United States after winning the bronze medal in the 400m for women making her the most decorated female olympic runner during the Track and Field competition at the Olympic Stadium at the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympic Games on August 6th, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)
She further added, “And I just fell in love with the sport. I love the competition. I love lining up on the starting line and knowing once this race is over we’re going to know who is the fastest on that day. And it just became my thing. And I also found my closest girlfriends who are still my friends to this day and it was a sport for me. Everything was kind of a whirlwind.”
Allyson Felix wanted to become a teacher
Felix also revealed that when she was young, she wanted to become a teacher. Allyson said, “But I didn’t have those aspirations as a young child. I actually wanted to be a teacher and come from a family of educators. So I feel like this path kind of found me and it gave me a life that I never could have imagined but it wasn’t what I set out to do.”
TOKYO, JAPAN August 7: Allyson Felix of the United States with her gold medal after the United States team won the 4x 400m relay final. Allyson Felix is now the most decorated U.S. track athlete in Olympic history. She won her 11th medal just one day after becoming the most-decorated woman in Olympic track history when she won bronze in the 400m during the Track and Field competition at the Olympic Stadium at the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympic Games on August 7th, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)
Thankfully, Allyson continued her path in track and field, and the world witnessed the legendary woman’s stunning career. Sadly, though, the Olympic champion is now nearing her retirement.
However, Allyson has already paved her plans for the future, building her own shoe brand, further inspiring women around the world.
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