Allyson Felix pays tribute to Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gigi 5 years after their tragic passing

Allyson Felix paid tribute to late basketball legend Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gigi who passed away in a plane crash five years ago. Bryant was headed to coach his daughter's team when the incident claimed the two's lives with seven other passengers.

Felix, the most decorated track and field woman with 11 Olympic and 20 world medals, retired in 2022. Despite that, she stays closely connected to the sporting domain through various administrative roles. As elected in 2024 Paris, Felix serves in the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) Athletes' Commission.

The track legend recently shifted her focus to American football, paying tribute to the legendary Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gigi, who lost their lives in a plane crash in 2020.

The Lakers' original Instagram post caption read:

"Always in our hears"

Felix shared the Lakers' post in her Instagram story without a caption.

Allyson Felix pays tribute to Kobe Bryant and his daughter; Instagram - @allysonfelix

Bryant and his daughter were traveling to the Mamba Sports Academy in Newbury Park. The tragic news of the duo's passing left the world mourning but the legendary NBA player's legacy continues to inspire.

Felix was inclined to basketball before she took up track and field as a career as per Olympics.com. She bought a Kobe Bryant jersey at 12 since she was a fan of the legend. The 39-year-old even played for the L.A. Baptist’s freshman basketball team.

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Allyson Felix once shared a photo of herself in a basketball ball fit and expressed her love for sports

Felix posing with her medal at the World Championship... - (Source: Getty)

Allyson Felix etched her name as the most successful, male or female, in the World Championships history. She first tried track in ninth grade, moving on to becoming a professional with Adidas in 2003 after trying her hands in basketball in her younger years.

In a 2020 Instagram spot, she posted a photo of herself in a basketball jersey and shorts, encouraging girls to take up sports on National Girls and Women in Sports Day.

"I LOVED playing sports growing up! Sports gave me confidence, taught me work ethic, leadership, how to deal with failure, the value of teamwork and countless other invaluable lessons I still rely on today. I want all girls to have these experiences and continue to break barriers on and off the field of play," Felix wrote.

Allyson Felix last competed at the Tokyo Olympics. Though not competing in the following edition in 2024, she set up a nursery at the Olympic Village for parents and athletes to seamlessly balance quality time with their kids and competing.