The Inspirational Story Of Olympic Champion Allyson Felix Who Came Out Against Nike And Made History

Allyson Felix, the star of the sprint, made history in the athletics category of field and track racing by winning the 400-meter relay. The victory secured her the 11th Olympic medal, the seventh gold, surpassing American sprint legend Carl Lewis, who counts 10 medals. Allyson is very close to the world record held by Paavo Nurmi with 12 medals.

“The first medal was long, long ago In Athens 2004 when I was young,” she told reporters. “Everything was different today, but for the better. “I am delighted to have worked with these amazing women,” she added, thanking the team consisting of Sydney McLaughlin, Dalilah Muhammad, and Athing Mu.

Allyson, in addition to the fantastic performance, was commented at length on the fact that as rarely, she stepped on the finish line wearing her brand. She ran with a pair of Says shoes, the sneaker business she started earlier this year. Allyson ran much faster in Tokyo 2020, 35 than in 2016 when he was 30. And yet, a few years ago, very few people thought he would get this far. The story of how she rose to prominence in a multibillion-dollar business is extraordinary.

After the Rio 2016 Olympics, she knew it was time to become a mother, but the decision to have a child has affected the careers of many women athletes. For most, this signals the end of Olympic aspirations. Allyson did not believe that pregnancy would be the end of her career. She did not want Nike, the corporation that sponsored her, to think that she was ending her ambitions.

In 2018, as Allyson was secretly training and avoiding pregnancy detection, she was also in negotiations for a new contract with Nike. She did not believe it was right for Nike to have the power to significantly reduce how much it would be paid in the future based on its performance during pregnancy and during the postpartum period.

But given the plans to have children, Nike was clear that it should not continue sponsorship and pay the same way. Nike was preparing the new contract with 70% less revenue. The decision was not well received by Allyson who decided – like a few people – to speak openly against the company. How many athletes dare to do this?

In an article in The New York Times in 2019, she revealed that Nike would pay 70% less and despite her achievements, the company refused to guarantee that she would not be “punished” if she did not perform at previous levels after giving birth. . “If I did not have protection, who could have it?”

She left Nike, signed with Athleta and within a few months, the statement made such a fuss that Nike announced changes. The company hinted that there will be a new policy guaranteeing salary and bonuses for athletes for 18 months after pregnancy.

“I just felt the time had come and no matter how scared I was, I had to go ahead and tell my story,” he told Today.

In June, Allyson posted a photo with the medals, which also showed signs from a cesarean section of the difficult birth of her 2-year-old daughter, Camryn.

“I never thought that my voice would make Nike change its policies on motherhood and athletes and I would not have thought it would lead to the creation of Says. Get up and talk even if your voice is shaking. ”

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