Allyson Felix Elected to International Olympic Committee Athletes’ Commission
Felix is a seven-time Olympic gold medalist in track and field
Posted On: August 8, 2024 By :Five-time U.S. Olympian Allyson Felix, who made Olympic history by winning 11 medals, has been elected to the IOC Athletes’ Commission.
Felix will serve an eight-year term and be confirmed as member of the International Olympic Committee at the Closing Ceremony of the 2024 Games in Paris on August 11. Felix stepped away from athletics following the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo — her fifth Games — as the most decorated female athlete in Olympic track and field history with seven gold medals and 11 total medals. She is also a member of the LA28 Organizing Committee Athletes’ Commission.
“This is a great honor and I am very happy to have the confidence of the athletes of the world to continue in my role as member of the IOC Athletes’ Commission,” said Felix. “We should always strive to improve the athlete experience and ensure athlete perspective is elevated in conversations around the present and future of the Olympic and Paralympic Movement.”
By virtue of her standing as an elected IOC Athletes Commission member, Felix will also become a member of the USOPC board of directors. The IOC AC is composed of a maximum of 23 members (12 members elected by their peers and a maximum of 11 appointed). The membership vote is held at every Olympic Games with four members elected at each Summer Games and two at each Winter Games.
“Allyson set a gold standard for performance on the field of play and has continued her commitment to excellence by advocating for parity and opportunity in both sport and the broader community after retiring from competition,” said USOC Chief Executive Officer Sarah Hirshland. “In her time on the Team USA AC, and in two years on the IOC AC, she’s added important perspective and future vision. We are thrilled she will continue to use her voice in support of athletes from the United States and around the world as a member of the Athletes’ Commission.”
For the Paris 2024 Games, Felix championed an initiative which saw the IOC partner with Pampers to create the first nursery in the Olympic Village as a space where athlete mothers can bond with and care for their children. Since retiring from competition, Felix has established a business called Saysh and worked to raise awareness for maternity health and to establish pathways for women to thrive in family, business, sport and community.
Posted in: 2024 Summer Olympic Games, Olympic Sports, Track & Field