Series19 Nov 2012


Little off-season rest for globe-trotting Felix - IAAF Online Diaries

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Allyson Felix (2nd from right) with fellow Olympians at the USC Homecoming football game (© Kirby Lee)

19 November 2012 - In her latest IAAF Diary, World Athlete of the Year finalist Allyson Felix catches us up on what she's been up to and where she's been. And the Olympic 200m champion has been busy indeed.

“Greetings from Africa,

“I am in the midst of a 10-day trip to Rwanda, Uganda and Tanzania with Right to Play. It is an organisation that I have done a lot of work with, and they teach kids life lessons.

“Nike released a report called Design to Move, which lays out the problems the U.S. is facing and really the world with physical activity for children. That is something I have been passionate about for a long time, particularly as a member on the United States President’s Council for Sport & Nutrition.

“On the way to Africa, I attended the Glamour Woman of the Year Awards in New York. I am also on the cover of the December issue of Essence magazine with Sanya Richards-Ross, Carmelita Jeter and gymnast Gabby Douglas. It’s really been amazing. I have been able to do so many things I have always wanted to do.

“Last weekend, I was also honored at halftime of the USC homecoming football game at Arizona State with other USC Olympians from London. It was great to reunite with the other Trojan track Olympians Jesse Williams, Bryshon Nellum, Josh Mance, Aaron Brown (CAN), Carol Rodriguez (PUR) and Felix Sanchez (DOM).

“Earlier, this week I was named the women’s winner of the Jesse Owens award by USA Track & Field for the fourth time.  I am so honoured to have the Jesse Owens award again. And it’s truly a season that’s a dream come true for me.

“I think what made this year so special was kind of the journey that I have been on my entire career from having silver medals in 2004 and 2008. That kept me really motivated and kept me really driven throughout. I have really great people around me from (coach) Bobby (Kersee) and my family. And they have helped me make some really good decisions.  I have been blessed with good health over the years.  I was able to take advantage of that.

“I think I will definitely be open to the 400m more, especially because I know I want to run in Rio and looking at the reality of that.  How I am doing in the sprints will determine that. I feel as I get older, the 400m may suit me more so I am definitely more accepting of it and open to it as we approach the next Games.

“I won’t be running indoors this year. I am easing myself back into things. I haven’t formally started with coach Bobby yet. I am kind of doing things on my own while I am on the road. I will get back with him in about two weeks and everything will go back into full force with training.

“I have a lot of confidence in the 200m from running at the Trials and the whole year and I am really excited about where I can go with at the World Championships in Moscow. It’s not the same as the Olympic stage. The World Championships aren’t the same, but it is still so much fun. You are still competing against the same people. I am still motivated and excited to see how it plays out.”

Allyson

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