The United States most decorated track-and-field athlete is launching another campaign to provide competing athletes with support and free childcare services.
Allyson Felix, 36, has long advocated for women throughout her athletic career.
Now, the 11-time Olympic medalist is launching an initiative with her partner Athleta and the nonprofit group co-founded by Felix’s Team USA teammate Alysia Montaño called &Mother to provide free child care to athletes, coaches and staff at the 2022 U.S. Track and Field Championships in Eugene, Oregon.
In a recent NPR interview, Felix said, “It’s just a way really to … say we can show up and support women, and they don’t have to choose between motherhood and anything else.”
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In 2021, the four-time Olympic track athlete Athleta and the Women’s Sports Foundation provided childcare grants to mothers competing in the upcoming Tokyo Olympics.
The fund included $200,000 and covered the costs of bringing children to the competition.
In a statement from the Women’s Sports Foundation, she said, “As a mom and an athlete, I know firsthand the obstacles that women face. I wanted to work with Athleta and the Women’s Sports Foundation to take an important step in supporting female athletes as whole people—both on and off the field.”
The powerhouse trio opened the third round of child care grants, providing female athletes $10,000 for childcare expenses.
The veteran sprinter is putting her spikes up after this year’s Championships. She qualified for the Women’s 400m final on Friday after clocking in at 51.32 seconds in the semifinals. The finals will be held on Saturday and might offer Felix her last championship title.
“It’s special to be going out,” Felix said. “It’s different to be running the 400. It’s not my true love, so it’s a bit more challenging. (The 200) that’s my baby, but I have a baby now, so I’m not sure how that works.”
In an Instagram post, Felix announced her last championship, sharing photos from her career.
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