Last updated: 28/04/26 06:37
Allyson Felix, the most decorated female track and field athlete in history, has announced she will come out of retirement to pursue a spot at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, when she will be 42.
A seven-time Olympic gold medallist with 11 Olympic medals in total, Felix is a Los Angeles native. If she qualifies, LA28 would be the sixth Olympic Games of her career. She retired after the Tokyo 2021 Games but says the chance to compete at a home Olympics is an opportunity she can’t ignore.
Speaking to TIME, Felix pushed back on expectations about what women her age should do. She said many are told not to attempt “big, bold” ambitions and to focus on family duties, but she wants to flip that narrative and take the chance to go after something meaningful. She also described the unforgettable energy given to host-country athletes and said she would likely regret not giving the home Games a shot.
Felix added that, whatever happens with qualification, she plans to be in Los Angeles with her children, supporting the team. Her return is not assured: she must still navigate the fiercely competitive U.S. track and field selection system to earn a place on the Olympic team.