Track and field just keeps delivering bombshell news in recent hours. While Sebastian Sawe‘s world record at the London Marathon-becoming the first to run under two hours in an official race-has been historic, Allyson Felix‘s return to the track is equally big news that, frankly, no one expected. Especially considering the American had been retired for almost four years after signing off with a gold and a bronze in the women’s 4×400 and mixed 4×400 relays, respectively, at the 2022 World Championships in Eugene.
It was Felix herself-the most decorated female athlete in Olympic history, with seven gold medals, three silver medals, and one bronze-who broke the news to the prestigious American magazine ‘TIME’. Her goal is to qualify for the demanding 2028 trials and make the U.S. long-distance relay team to compete in her hometown, Los Angeles.
According to ‘TIME’, Felix, who also has 14 world championship gold medals, presented the idea to her brother and business partner Wes in June 2025 with a formal presentation titled “Project Six,” in reference to her attempt to compete in her sixth Olympic Games.
In that presentation, Felix described her attempt as a “live experiment on human potential,” because the fact that no American sprinter has ever competed in the Olympics at age 40 does not necessarily mean it is impossible.
Felix plans to resume training in October of this year under the guidance of his longtime coach, Bobby Kersee, and to compete sometime in 2027, although he won’t be a regular on the track circuit because he doesn’t want to spend too much time away from his seven-year-old daughter, Camryn, and his two-year-old son, Trey.
In recent years, athletes like Tom Brady, LeBron James, and Lindsey Vonn have enjoyed success after turning 40, and Felix was inspired by their stories. She also aims to defy the expectations placed on women at that age.
“Many of us have been told not to do something big and bold,” Felix told TIME in her first interview announcing her return. “You know, at this age, I should probably be at home taking care of my kids, doing all that. But why not? Let’s turn it around. Let’s go for it. Let’s be vulnerable.”
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Felix wants to make it clear that he’s not doing this for attention or money. “I don’t think track and field is the place to do something for money,” he told TIME with a laugh. And he doesn’t have high expectations either: “I know that, at 40, I’m not at my peak. I’m under no illusions about that. I’m very clear about what I want and what I’m aiming for. And I hope it turns out that way.”
Throughout her long and successful career, Felix was even afraid to take vitamins, for fear of accidentally violating World Anti-Doping Agency regulations.
Now, she’s eager to explore supplements, as long as they stay within the rules. Saunas, infrared technology, pool training… Felix believes all of this will play a role in her comeback. “I’d probably feel bad about myself if I didn’t try,” says Felix, a member of the LA28 Organizing Committee’s Athletes’ Commission, in closing.