Allyson Felix, U.S. track star, targets LA28 comeback at 40

Allyson Felix, the most decorated woman in track and field history, is planning a return from retirement with the aim of competing at the 2028 Summer Olympics.

“So many of us have been told not to do the big, bold thing,” Felix told TIME magazine in an interview published on Monday.

“You know, at this age, I should probably be staying home and taking care of my kids, doing all that. And just, why not? ‌Let’s flip it on its head. Let’s go after the thing. Let’s be vulnerable.”

The 40-year-old Los Angeles native, a seven-time Olympic gold medallist, would be making her sixth Olympic appearance if she qualifies for LA28.

Felix retired after the Tokyo Olympics in 2022 with 11 Olympic medals but has long spoken about one lingering regret, never getting the opportunity to compete at a home Games.

In the years leading up to her retirement, she also emerged as a prominent advocate for athlete mothers seeking to continue their careers.

Now a member of the LA28 Organising Committee’s Athletes’ Commission, Felix said she would regret not exploring the possibility of a comeback.

“I would probably be upset at myself if I just didn’t give it a try,” she said. “However it turns out, I’ll still be there with my kids, hanging out and cheering everybody on.”

Published on Apr 28, 2026