From Athens to Tokyo, Allyson Felix’s Journey to the Olympic Record Books

Felix’s 11th medal made her the most decorated American track-and-field athlete in Olympic history, surpassing Carl Lewis.

TOKYO — Allyson Felix had made her mark, collecting so many titles and winning so many races as the most celebrated female athlete in American track and field. By Saturday night, her accomplishments were officially unparalleled in U.S. track, and she found herself in a familiar position at Olympic Stadium: atop the podium with a gold medal draped around her neck. But Felix, 35, was not alone. She was joined by three teammates who had run the 4x400-meter relay with her earlier in the evening, and the symbolism was not lost on Felix, a fierce advocate in recent years for female athletes, for mothers and for gender equality. “To be surrounded by these women in that moment was really special,” she said.