Allyson Felix Ends Retirement for 2028 Olympics

Allyson Felix, the most decorated woman in Olympic track and field history, announced Monday she is ending her retirement to pursue a spot on the U.S. team for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, where she will be 42.

Felix, who retired in 2022 after winning bronze in the 400 meters and gold in the 4x400-meter relay at the Tokyo Games the previous year, shared her plans in an interview with Time magazine. She holds a record 11 Olympic medals, including seven golds, six of them in relays and one individual title in the 200 meters at the 2012 London Games. She also owns a record 20 medals from world championships.

The Los Angeles native cited the chance to compete in her hometown as the decisive factor. "This is a once-in-a-lifetime homecoming and it is the only thing powerful enough to pull me back," she wrote in a proposal to her brother and business partner, Wes Felix, last June.

Felix plans to begin full-time training in October under longtime coach Bobby Kersee, with her return to competition targeted for 2027. She intends to limit international travel to prioritize time with her husband, Kenneth Ferguson, and their children, 7-year-old Camryn and 2-year-old Trey.