Allyson Felix announces candidature for International Olympic Committee Athletes’ Commission ahead of the Paris Olympics 2024

Former American sprinter Allyson Felix has announced that she will be running in the election for a new role in the International Olympic Committee Athletes’ Commission. The athlete has transitioned into multiple roles since retiring from track and field, and now she is ready to step into a new one during the Paris Olympics 2024.

The 38-year-old has been a sprinter, a businesswoman, and one of the biggest advocates for maternal health. As a sprinter, she was in the limelight with her notable wins. She was one of the most decorated athletes, with 11 Olympic medals and 20 World Championship medals.

In 2019, Allyson Felix experienced multiple adversities during her first pregnancy. She was involved in a big controversy with Nike, as the brand reduced her contract by 70% after her pregnancy. This led to her parting ways with the brand and starting her own shoe brand 'Saysh,' just for women athletes.

Following her retirement, she continued her business and also spoke up for maternity rights and women's rights in the sports community. She is currently a representative for the IOC AC and has now announced her candidacy for election to the International Olympic Committee Athletics' Commission.

The votes for this election will be cast by the athletes during the Paris Olympics 2024.

Allyson Felix pens a heartfelt note for not competing in the Olympics for the first time in her career

Allyson Felix announced her retirement as a track and field athlete in 2022, and the last Olympic Games of her career was the 2020 Tokyo Games. The former sprinter recently shared a heartfelt note about not competing in the Olympic trials for the first time since 2008.

She shared a post on Instagram with a bunch of pictures from her playing days and added a message in the caption, saying she felt strange as well as grateful. She also left a piece of advice for the athletes competing.

"It feels so strange not to be running at Olympic Trials! A weird mix of every emotion from gratitude to grief,"read the caption. "So many memories over the 20 years I competed. There is nothing like giving everything you have to make Team USA," Allyson Felix wrote.

She added:

"A little pro tip for everyone putting it all on the line: Dreams will come true and hearts will be broken. This moment doesn’t define you, it’s simply part of your journey."

Allyson Felix has joined hands with Yahoo as a correspondent to report and analyze all the track and field events at the Paris Olympics, which are slated for July 26 - August 11.