Allyson Felix Addresses “Real Problem” of Women Athletes’ Safety

Allyson Felix, the most decorated track and field athlete of all time with a record 20 World Championship and 11 Olympic medals, has also become a fervent advocate for women in recent years, particularly concerning maternal health rights. Amidst the issue of violence against women athletes casting a shadow over the sport this year, Felix conveyed to BBC 100 Women her profound concern for the safety of female athletes in various global regions. She stated, “There has to be a change in the culture. Something is not right, and it does make me worry.” Felix expressed her devastation upon hearing about the death of fellow Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei, who was fatally set on fire by her boyfriend in Kenya earlier this year. Cheptegei, a mother of two, was the third female athlete killed in Kenya within three years. Felix characterized this as a “real problem” that she intends to prioritize as a newly elected member of the IOC Athletes’ Commission, a body representing athletes within the Olympic movement. She commented, “The consequences have to be severe, but I think there has to be more than that. I think we have to rally around the sports community and come together.” The American runner, who retired in 2022, is featured on the BBC’s 100 Women list, which annually recognizes 100 inspiring and influential women globally. This year’s list focuses on the theme of “resilience,” a theme particularly relevant to Felix’s experiences. In 2018, at 32 weeks pregnant, she was diagnosed with severe pre-eclampsia and underwent an emergency caesarean section. Her daughter, Camryn, subsequently spent time in a neonatal intensive care unit. The following year, Felix published a powerful op-ed in The New York Times, challenging her then-sponsor, Nike, over maternity pay. She revealed Nike’s threat to reduce her pay by 70% if motherhood impacted her future athletic performance. Three months later, Nike reversed its position, and new contracts guaranteed an athlete’s pay and bonuses for 18 months around pregnancy. Additionally, three other athletic apparel companies introduced maternity protection for their sponsored athletes. In her article, Felix wrote that pregnancy was “the kiss of death” in her industry. She remarked, “I was terrified what the consequences would be. I was terrified how it would be received. It just wasn’t in my nature. And so it was really difficult to be able to just be vulnerable.” Although the decision to speak out could have ended her career, less than a year after giving birth, Felix made history by securing her 12th World Championships gold medal in the 4x400m mixed relay in Doha, thereby surpassing Usain Bolt’s record. Felix has since forged a new path for herself. Two years after her departure from Nike, she launched a footwear company with her brother, Wes, in 2021, selling athletic-inspired footwear designed for women’s feet. This year, the mother of two was instrumental in ensuring the establishment of a nursery in the Olympic village—the first ever available to athletes competing in the Games. She considers this a significant achievement but emphasizes that more work is needed. She explained, “When you do come back, that’s a huge barrier to be able to re-enter the sport and figure out travelling the world and who is caring for your child. To be able to take something off of that plate, that’s what I look to do.” Moving forward, she desires to see sponsors alter their representation of women athletes. Her newest venture, Always Alpha, is a management firm exclusively dedicated to women’s sports, which she views as part of her legacy. She stated, “Traditionally, women have been put in the same box [as men]. I think women shouldn’t be an afterthought, especially as we think about the business and how strategy is created.” She further added, “In all of the negotiations with Nike, I was dealing with a team of all men, who were basically telling me how I would come back from childbirth. Now there are more women who have seats at the table and have power, but we still have a long way to go.” A part of her role with the Athletes’ Commission will involve listening to other athletes and advocating on their behalf. She affirmed, “If it is your decision to have a child in the midst of your career, then do that. We’re working really hard to support women who make that choice.” Felix, who welcomed her second child, a son named Trey, this year, has also been a vocal proponent in highlighting the disproportionately high risk of maternal mortality among black women in the US. This year, she received a $20 million grant from Melinda Gates to improve maternal health outcomes. She has not ruled out utilizing these funds to support global projects, stating, “I have most of my experience in the US and in my own communities, but I am actively speaking to organisations all over the world.” According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), black women in the US are three times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause than white women. She commented, “There’s still an implicit bias in our healthcare system, and we’re not seeing the numbers change quick enough.” Felix believes that women are too frequently ignored when they report concerns to their doctors. She stated, “What I hear is that they are not being heard. It’s not going to turn around if we’re not educating our medical professionals.” Felix mentioned that having a daughter makes the subject of women’s health “very personal” for her. With abortion rights once again a prominent issue following the US presidential election, she believes women should have the ability to choose. She reflected, “You know, as a parent, we have seen so many things change in the world, it is a scary time. I do think about her and her generation and the things that they might be without.” Nevertheless, she hopes her advocacy will inspire her children in the years to come. She expressed, “I want them always to know that you should have an impact, that you should help others, that you should stand up for what you believe in.” The BBC 100 Women initiative annually recognizes 100 inspiring and influential women globally. For updates, follow BBC 100 Women on Instagram and Facebook, and engage in discussions using #BBC100Women. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the content found on external websites. Information regarding our external linking policy is available.